Does your child have cavities? Here’s what you need to know about baby bottle tooth decay.
Our kids’ smiles brighten up our day, which is why we want them to have their perfect baby teeth for as long as they can. At an early age, we try to impart to them the importance of having good oral health – brushing their teeth and refraining from food that can cause tooth decay.
When it comes to the cavities in our baby’s teeth, the common culprits are food that has too much sugar in it, such as chocolates, candies and ice cream. But did you know that what could be causing those cavities is something that is a staple in your child’s diet? It’s milk, or to be more specific, your child’s habit of drinking milk from the bottle at night.
Let’s talk about baby bottle tooth decay.
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Cases of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
In 2018, there was a report of a 4-year-old boy from Thailand who needed to have 18 of his teeth pulled out because of tooth decay. The culprit? They found out later on that aside from neglecting nightly toothbrushing, the boy also sleeps with his baby bottle still in his mouth.
Just recently one of our TAP mums shared about the discolouration in her son’s teeth only to find out that the cause was he would drink milk before bedtime.
“After his second birthday that I started to notice that there were faint stains on his two front upper teeth. It seemed that they were there, but really faint to actually see it if you didn’t stare and observe his smile. Later on, I also noticed that dents were forming where the stains were as well,” shared Mummy Keiki. “As the weeks when by, it seemed to be getting worse – the stains were getting darker compared to the faint color it started from. So we decided to visit a dentist. The dentist did his initial check-up and confirmed what I was thinking. It was indeed because of his formula milk. It was an early indication of baby bottle tooth decay,“ she added. (Read the rest of her story here.)
So what exactly is baby bottle tooth decay?
“Nursing Bottle Syndrome or baby bottle tooth decay is caused when baby teeth have contact with liquids containing sugar such as milk, formula or juice for an extended period of time,” according to a report from Huffington Post. “It causes extensive decay. Consequently, children as young as two years end up needing fillings, crowns or extractions.”
When does baby bottle tooth decay occur?
Humairah Shah, a dentist, children’s book author, and the writer of the report, revealed that there has been a dramatic spike in toddlers requiring dental procedures caused by baby bottle tooth decay over the past decade.
According to reports from Boston Children’s Hospital, bottle caries or baby bottle tooth decay usually affects children between the ages of 1 and 2. If your toddler falls asleep while breastfeeding, he is also at risk.
Photo credit: The Huffington Post
“When children fall asleep while having the bottle or while breast feeding, the milk remains in their mouth all night long,” said Shah. “Bacteria present in the mouth breaks sugar down into acid, causing tooth decay.”
The dentist suggests that after the first year of breastfeeding, have a bottle of water ready at your bedside table and swap after feeding so that the residual milk or formula is rinsed down.
“Aim to gradually reduce the frequency with which you feed at night.”
She also said that patients generally spend a lot of money because of dental treatments caused by cavities in baby’s teeth and baby bottle tooth decay.
“Most of my NBS patients are children who are less than five years old,” she said. “I have seen them suffer and their parents cry as they undergo treatment. Imagine the result if we channeled this money to educate parents and children about this under-addressed issue.”
Other causes of cavities on baby’s teeth
According to the website Mouth Healthy.org by the American Dental Association, tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria that can be passed from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant.
These bacteria can be passed through saliva. For instance, when the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby.
Another possible reason for the presence of cavities in the baby’s teeth and tooth decay is when the infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Babies
How do you know if your baby has cavities on his teeth?
As one mum mentioned, she saw some white spots and faint stains on her one-year-old’s teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the first sign of tooth decay might appear as white spots at the gum line on the upper front teeth.
“These spots are hard to see at first—even for a child’s doctor or dentist—without proper equipment.”
If you notice some discolouration in your child’s tooth (that won’t go away even after brushing), it may mean that she needs to be examined by the dentist. Tooth decay should be treated early to stop the cavities from spreading and to prevent further damage.
Trust us, you do not want to wait until your child complains of a toothache. It will be very difficult to pacify him at that point, and it usually means that the tooth has gotten worse and in some cases, must be pulled out.
Oral Health Tips for Children
Parents, here are some reminders to prevent baby bottle tooth decay and cavities on your baby’s teeth:
- According to Dr Shah, never let your child walk around with a bottle filled with milk for more than 20 minutes.
- More importantly, don’t let your child sleep with his baby bottle still in his mouth.
- As soon as his first tooth erupts, you should begin brushing your child’s teeth using a soft toothbrush and pea-sized toothpaste.
- Dental examinations should begin at 12 months or earlier if a problem is noted. Also, ask your dentist if your child is recommended to have fluoride treatment.
- Juices and sodas cause erosion of teeth and should be avoided; 4oz is the maximum amount of juice a child should consume in a day. Water is the only thing they should be drinking in between meals.
- Try not to share saliva with the baby through the common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, encourage your child to drink water and wipe his gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
- Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his first birthday.
- Limit your child’s exposure to sugar. If he will eat sweet or sticky foods, make sure he drinks water and brushes his teeth after.
The good news is baby bottle tooth decay and cavities on baby’s teeth can be prevented. With proper oral hygiene and a visit to the dentist, your child can keep his beautiful smile and great set of teeth intact until it’s time for permanent teeth to come in. If you have any questions regarding your child’s oral health, don’t hesitate to consult a dentist.
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Source:
Healthy Children.org, Mouth Healthy.org, Huffington Post
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