Dental Library- Baby Teeth

When babies cry it's natural to want to comfort them, but giving them a bottle containing a sweet drink, or a pacifier dipped in sugary water is not the way to do it. Babies can develop Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, caused by sugar clinging to their teeth that is used by bacteria in the mouth as a food source. The metabolic activity or the bacteria produce acids that in turn attack the teeth causing caries or what is commonly called tooth decay.

Even though permanent teeth will eventually replace baby teeth, it is important to be watchful of your baby's dental health to ensure healthy gums and healthy, properly positioned permanent teeth. Untreated carious primary teeth (baby teeth) can cause several problems. Carious primary teeth to become abscessed causing oral infections for the baby, which can have serious health consequences for the baby. Carious primary teeth can transmit the caries to the permanent teeth causing the permanent teeth to become carious and brake down. Carious primary teeth can cause the misalignment of permanent teeth if the primary teeth are not restored to their proper size since the primary teeth establish and maintain proper spacing for the erupting permanent teeth.

A few simple steps to prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:

Don't allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice, breast milk or any other sweetened liquid.
After feedings wipe baby's gums and teeth if present with a clean damp cloth.

You can even start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, and it's best to wean babies by their first birthday and begin offering liquids in a cup.

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