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Did you know that tooth decay is the most common long-term childhood disease? It is five times more common than asthma among children. But good news is, tooth decay can be prevented with good oral hygiene habits! With care, a child can grow up with healthy teeth for a lifetime of smiles.
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay in infants or children is often known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. There are many causes to tooth decay among children. However, one of the most common reasons children suffer from tooth decay is the frequent exposure of baby teeth to sweetened beverages. For instance, milk, formula and fruit juice all contain natural sugars. Prolonged exposure of these drinks especially when a child is put to bed with a bottle will lead to tooth decay. Besides that, giving a child sugary drink at nap time or in bed is particularly harmful as the flow of saliva is lower during sleep. Bacteria in the oral cavity thrive on sugar, consequently producing acids which attack the teeth.
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In some cases, children are given pacifiers dipped in sugar or syrup which further increases the risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, parents and caregivers can also pass bacteria to babies through saliva. As an example, bacteria is spread through sharing of spoons or cups and testing foods before feeding them to babies.
Why are baby teeth important?
It is a common misconception that baby teeth are not important. After all, these teeth are going to fall out anyway and be replaced by adult teeth so why worry? However, there are many concerns to watch out for if baby teeth are lost earlier than scheduled. Reasons for concerns include:
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Affecting the eruption of permanent adult teeth
Adult teeth are present in the jawbone beneath baby teeth. Baby teeth act as a placeholder for the permanent teeth. When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the other baby teeth may move and leave no room for adult teeth to come in. Consequently, this will lead to misaligned or crooked permanent teeth which may require extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.
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Causing poor eating habits
Early tooth loss in children can cause poor eating habits. Baby teeth are necessary for proper chewing so the baby may develop good habits for a healthy diet, growing up with good nutrition.
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Obstructing speech development
Absence of baby teeth due to tooth decay may impede a child’s ability to speak properly. For instance, proper diction requires the presence of front teeth. Thus, premature loss of baby teeth may lead to a need for future speech therapy.
How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay?
As always, prevention is better than cure. Follow these simple steps to prevent baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries:
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- Make sure babies finish their bedtime or naptime bottles before going to bed.
- Avoid drinks such as sugary water, juice or soft drinks in bottles.
- Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing anything but water.
- After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a washcloth or clean, damp gauze pad.
- Never dip a pacifier in honey, sugar or sweeteners.
- Try to avoid sharing saliva with baby through common feeding spoons.
- Encourage a child to drink from a cup by his or her first birthday.
- When baby teeth erupt, gently brush them with a child-size toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste until age of 3.
- Between ages of 3 and 6, brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Supervise toothbrushing in children until they can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste, usually after 6 or 7 years old.
Conclusion
Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth. If you see any sign of tooth decay in your child’s teeth, schedule a visit to the dental clinic to work with the dentist and determine the best treatment options.
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
