Wondering what baby bottle tooth decay is? It is very common in infants and requires immediate medical attention. It could lead to several dental health complications in the long run. Our pediatric dentists at South Airdrie Smiles have provided all the information on baby bottle tooth decay in this blog.

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Your child’s baby teeth are essential, even if they are only temporary, and they are still prone to cavities. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries, is a term used for tooth decay in infants and babies. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew food, speak clearly, and smile sweetly. Their baby teeth also help in the proper eruption of their adult teeth. It’s important to begin basic oral hygiene with infants to protect their teeth for many years to come. You can consult your Airdrie dentist for more information on this.

What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay can be caused by a variety of factors. One typical cause is exposing the baby’s teeth to sugary drinks regularly for an extended period. When a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby or when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, it can result in tooth decay
Cavity-causing germs can be transferred from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant, resulting in tooth decay. Saliva can be the medium for the spread of bacteria from one person to the next. When a mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, bacteria might be passed to the newborn.
Tooth decay is more likely in your newborn or toddler if they don’t get enough fluoride. The good news is that degradation is preventable. For additional information about fluoride, talk to your pediatric dentist in Airdrie.

How To Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Your favorite Airdrie dentist has provided some tips to prevent this dental condition in your child.

Using regular feeding spoons or licking pacifiers to share saliva with the infant is not a good idea. Using a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth, wipe your child’s gums after each feeding.
Brush your child’s teeth gently with a child-size toothbrush and a dab of fluoride toothpaste until he or she is three years old.
From the age of three to six, children should brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Brushing should be supervised until your child can be relied on to spit and not ingest toothpaste, which is usually not before the age of 6 or 7.
Bottles should only have formula milk or breast milk. Filling the bottle with liquids like sugar water, juice, or soft drinks is not good.
Before going to bed, babies should consume their bedtime and naptime bottles.
If your child uses a pacifier, make sure it’s clean—don’t use one that’s been dipped in sugar or honey.
By the time your child turns one, encourage him or her to drink from a cup.
Encourage your child to eat healthily.

We hope this blog has helped you to understand more about baby bottle tooth decay. Book an appointment with us at South Airdrie Smiles for the best pediatric dentistry services in Airdrie, AB.