Baby Tooth Decay

Tooth decay in infants and young children is called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Why? Often the decay is caused by giving a baby a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid and letting the liquid remain in the child's mouth for a long period of time, such as naptime or bedtime.

Decay occurs when liquids with any sugar, such as milk or fruit juice, are given to the baby and left to sit on the baby's teeth for long periods of time. Bacteria in the mouth feed off of these sugars and produce acids. These acids proceed to attack the teeth. For about 20 minutes after a baby has ingested sweetened liquids, the acids are produced and attacking the teeth. Tooth decay starts when the tooth enamel breaks down after many acid attacks.

In addition to what the infant drinks, tooth decay is aggravated by how often and for how long the liquid stays in the mouth. The more often and longer the sugar stays in the mouth, the more often and longer the acids are produced and attack the teeth.

But these are only baby teeth and will be replaced by adult teeth, why worry? Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth for the same reasons adult teeth are important: ability to chew food well, speak clearly, and have a healthy, attractive smile. Baby teeth also act as placeholders for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the other teeth may drift and invade the space where the adult tooth needs to come in. Without enough space to come in properly the adult teeth can become crooked or crowded.

By the time the teeth are visible, the decay may already have progressed too far. Prevention is important and easy to do. First, never let you baby or young child fall asleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or other sweetened liquid. Use a bottle filled with cool water or a pacifier instead. Next, wipe the baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeding. When teeth start to appear, gently brush them making sure the baby does not swallow the toothpaste. When all of the teeth have erupted, usually by 2, you can even start flossing. Finally, start your child's regular dental visits by the first birthday. And of course, if you think there is a problem, call your dentist immediately.

By preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay you can help your child have a beautiful smile both as a child and as an adult. And you might even avoid braces.