Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. Rarely, the lower front teeth are affected as the tongue acts a barrier while feeding. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar.Tooth decay can occur when the bab
y is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable by keeping a few things in mind. By consulting the dentist, he can guide you the right way. Proper cleaning of teeth after feeds, not feeding at bedtime or giving clean pacifiers not dipped in sugary fluids like honey all help prevent baby bottle decay.
