Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

You might not think so, but baby teeth need just as much if not more care than adult teeth. By nature, baby teeth aren’t as strong as their counterparts. It’s easier for dental decay to sit in. This includes younger children like infants or toddlers. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is the phenomenon involving cavities in this age group. That’s why it’s important for you to schedule your child’s dental appointment with Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer pediatric examinations to avoid and detect Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Learn more at our offices in NJ.

 

Large amounts of bacteria in the mouth cause cavities. They’re attracted to sugary substances left by food and drinks on the teeth. This is true regardless of age. But in infants, these sugary byproducts are caused by the drinks placed in their bottles. Hence the name Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. The American Dental Association states that bottles should only be filled with breast milk, formula, or regular milk. Avoid drinks that are high in sugar, like juice, soft drinks, and sugar-water. Water is the recommended choice for older children. It contains fluoride which naturally helps fight off cavities.

 

There are other steps you can take to minimize your babies exposure to bacteria. Resist giving your child access to a bottle during the night. Moisture in the mouth is a breeding ground for harmful pathogens. Be meticulous when cleaning their pacifiers. Never dip the pacifiers in substances like honey.

 

Mouth-to-mouth contact from the mother is the other biggest source of infiltration. The mother's saliva can kickstart baby bottle tooth decay. Avoid unnecessary mouth contact. Don’t share food or use your mouth to clean off pacifiers.

 

Schedule your child's dental examination with Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Meghadri or Grewal, call the office or visit our website. We have two conveniently located offices in the NJ area. For our Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. To contact our Somerville office, call 908-725-0400.