Baby bottle tooth decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. The upper front teeth are the most susceptible to damage, but other teeth also may be affected.

What causes baby bottle tooth decay ?

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, fizzy sweetened drinks, and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. Every time your child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks his/her teeth. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can occur, resulting in baby bottle tooth decay.
Parents and carers should be especially concerned with giving an infant a sugary drink at nap or night time. During sleep, the flow of saliva decreases, allowing the sugary liquids to pool around the child's teeth for an extended period of time.

How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay

Parents sometimes do not realise that baby's teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the infant's mouth. By the time the decay is noticed, it may be too late to save the child's teeth. You can prevent this from happening to your child's teeth by knowing how to protect them.

Breast feed your baby.
After each feeding wipe the child's teeth and gums with read more