What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?
Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. He/she should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
A. Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. He/she should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age. Q.
Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with a child going to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding. Examine the teeth, especially on the inside or the tongue side, every two weeks for dull spots (whiter than the tooth surface) or lines. A bottle containing anything other than water and left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay. This happens because sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack the tooth enamel. Each time a child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for about 20 minutes. When awake, saliva carries away the liquid. During sleep, the saliva flow significantly decreases and liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, covering the teeth in acids. After each feeding, clean your baby’s teeth and gums with a soft cloth. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. He/she should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age
Baby bottle tooth decay now referred to as early childhood cavities is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It takes place when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding containing juice or milk. Baby bottle decay or bottle rot refers to the cavities that babies get from the sugar found naturally in milk and juices when placed in bottles. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. Your child should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition found in babies or toddlers usually in their upper front teeth. It is caused by allowing the child to fall asleep with a bottle of milk, fruit juices or sweet liquids. As the child is sleeping the usual salivary activity is slowed allowing the bacteria in the mouth to change the sugars into acid that attacks the teeth.
