How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay From Nursing Or A Bottle?
A. Don’t nurse your child to sleep or put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquid. Use only water in the bottle, or give your baby a pacifier. Check with your pediatric dentist to make sure you child is getting enough fluoride for decay protection. Lastly, learn how to brush and floss your child’s teeth.
A. Dont nurse your child to sleep or put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquid. Use only water in the bottle. It is important to remember to start weaning your child from the bottle soon after his or her first birthday. Check with your pediatric dentist to make sure your child is getting enough fluoride for decay protection. Lastly, learn how to brush and floss your childs teeth.
Don’t nurse your child to sleep or put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or sweetened liquid. Use only water in the bottle, or give your baby a pacifier. Check with your pediatric dentist to make sure your child is getting enough fluoride for decay protection. Lastly, learn how to brush and floss your child’s teeth. Q: When should bottle or breast feeding be stopped? A: To assure good dental health, infants should be weaned from a bottle or nursing at one year of age. Q: Should I worry about thumb or finger sucking? A: Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants: most stop by age two. If your child doesn’t, discourage it after age four. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb-sucking habit. Q: When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth? A: The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your baby’s gums with a clean damp wash cloth. Use a tiny d
Taking your baby off of the breast when he/she falls asleep can prevent baby tooth decay. Hold your baby while bottle feeding. Always take a bottle filled with milk or juice away from the sleeping child. If your child requires a bottle at bedtime provide a bottle filled with water. Instead of a bottle, try comforting your child with a pacifier or a favorite toy or blanket. Check with your health care provider to make sure your child is getting the right amount of fluoride. Brush your baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush daily. For more answers about your baby’s dental care call us at (732) 945-5659.
