Protect Your Toddler; Stop Bottle Decay
February 6, 2010 by Doug Larson
Filed under Children, Dental Health, Patient information
Bottle Decay
Start your child brushing early!
Frequent exposure to sugary liquids causes “bottle decay” in your children’s teeth. This doesn’t have to be juice with sugar added, but, milk, formula, soda, fruit juice, and pacifiers dipped in honey or sugar. Sugar sustains plaque-producing bacteria, which allows the acid to attack the teeth and gums. Bottle decay often leads to early removal of your child’s teeth. This may cause speech impediments, crooked teeth and damaged adult teeth.
Preventing Bottle Decay
Never allow your child to go to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. During their sleep, saliva flow decreases, causing cavities when the liquid stays on the teeth. To wean your child to a better liquid; a bottle’s content may be diluted with water over two or three weeks. Transitioning from a bottle to a cup and decreasing sugar consumption will also help to prevent bottle decay.
Cleaning a baby’s gums each day will get them used to the process. Use a soft washcloth wrapped finger and gently massage their gums. Continue this as the first tooth erupts, changing to a soft toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. A child’s first visit to a dentist should occur by age three.
what would be the best solution from that?in my case my baby have already a bottle decay. so, what should I do ?
If your baby has bottle decay, see your dentist. He or she will do a filling and stop further tooth destruction on that tooth.
You will want to prevent further decay throughout the mouth by changing what your baby drinks and when they drink it.
Dr Doug
At least we know now the effect if we will allow our child to go to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Thanks for your advice..I will share it as well to my mom friends so that they will aware also about this..I appreciate your post..Thank you.