Our skilled and highly experienced dentist in Hamilton Mill, GA, and their team understand the importance of baby teeth and strive to safeguard their integrity and vitality, especially when suffering from tooth decay.
Tooth decay is the most prevalent dental problem globally affecting millions of people irrespective of age and gender. However, infants and babies may be more prone to a type of tooth decay that commonly occurs due to contact with excess sugar. This is known as baby bottle tooth decay. Read on to learn the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of baby bottle tooth decay.
A comprehensive guide to baby bottle tooth decay
Baby bottle tooth decay, also known as infant caries, early childhood caries, and nursing bottle caries, is an aggressive form of tooth decay affecting mostly infants, and toddlers. It usually occurs in the front teeth, or incisors.
Causes:
Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when baby teeth are regularly exposed to excessive sugar. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on this sugar, multiplying and releasing acids that attack the teeth and enamel, leading to decay. Babies who are breastfed to sleep or bottle-fed with milk for prolonged periods, especially at night, are at a higher risk of developing this condition known as nursing bottle caries.
Symptoms:
You can expect the following signs and symptoms in baby bottle tooth decay:
- White specks or spots on the front teeth
- Pain and discomfort in the mouth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Prominent cavities
- Tooth discoloration (dark brown or black)
- Swelling around the affected teeth
- Bad breath
- Extreme irritability
- Tooth erosion
- Tooth loss
Treatment:
Baby bottle tooth decay can be reversed and effectively treated through the following:
- Fluoride treatment
- Dental fillings
- Pulptomy (removal of coronal pulp)
- Pulpectomy (removal of radicular pulp)
- Extraction for severe cases with space maintainers
Prevention:
It is possible to prevent infant or baby bottle tooth decay through the following preventive measures:
- Don’t put your baby to sleep with a milk bottle
- Avoid giving them excess fruit juices or sugary items like candy or lollipop
- Clean their gums with a wet gauze after every feed
- Brush their teeth once they erupt, twice daily
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and low-dose fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth
- Transition to a sippy cup as soon as possible
- Encourage healthy eating habits in them
- Hydrate them well to increase saliva production to flush out the toxins
- Take your baby to the dentist once in six months for checkups
Tooth decay is prevalent, particularly among infants and young children, often stemming from inadequate oral hygiene practices and unhealthy dietary habits. To mitigate the risk of baby bottle tooth decay, it’s crucial to minimize sugar consumption, promote nutritious foods, ensure adequate hydration, and adhere to proper brushing routines.