Baby bottle tooth decay
STRONG, healthy teeth are important to optimal health, but sometimes parents compromise their children’s dental health in a bid to offer them comfort without even knowing it. One such instance is offering a child a bottle to soothe them in the crib, a practice that can cause baby bottle tooth decay.
“Baby bottle dental decay is caused when the baby is allowed to have a bottle with milk or some sugary drink in their mouth for prolonged periods of time, usually to help them go to sleep,” said Dr Naudia Gilzeane, dental surgeon at Gateway Plaza, Old Harbour.
She pointed out that it is this presence of food – including breast milk or other sugary substances – that allows bacteria, which cause caries (decay), to proliferate.
Dr Gilzeane explained that it is important for parents or guardians to observe carefully any changes in the oral health of their babies.
“A very observant parent or guardian should notice changes in the baby’s oral health. It is recommended that as soon you notice discoloration of the baby’s teeth, or holes appearing, take the child to a dental care professional to have the child assessed, and most importantly, try to cease the damaging habits.”
She said that there are a number of treatment options that dental care professionals will explore, depending on the severity of the decay, to determine the best treatment method.
“In treating caries, treatment will vary depending on how severe the decay is. It may be as simple as proper hygiene – cleaning the child’s teeth with a clean, damp rag and using a soft brush accompanied by cessation of the habit, or it could be some other curative method which would need the care of a dental professional — filling, for example,” Dr Gilzeane explained.
The doctor said failure to act immediately on changes in oral health could expose the child to great pain and discomfort as the decay worsens.
Below she outlines steps you can take to prevent baby bottle decay:
• Don’t put the child to bed by allowing him/her to drift off to sleep with the bottle in the mouth with juice or milk, or something similar.
• Don’t allow the child to sit with the bottle in his/her mouth for long periods.
• Don’t allow the baby to go to sleep with the breast in his/her mouth and allow the baby to remain sleeping that way.
• Clean the baby’s teeth regularly. Clean using a damp rag if the child won’t allow a soft brush.
• Check the child’s teeth and mouth and visit the dentist if you notice anything amiss. Examinations are recommended twice annually from when the first primary teeth erupt.
