Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: 5 Things Every Parent Should Know

Aren’t they temporary teeth?

Have you heard of baby bottle tooth decay? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. Though many are unfamiliar with the term, it’s an incredibly common problem among infants and toddlers. What is it, you may ask? As the name suggests, baby bottle tooth decay is a common problem where those precious baby teeth, typically the front ones, end up with severe tooth decay. 

Sure, these baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by their adult counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t play an important role in a child’s overall oral health. Those baby teeth set the stage for a set of healthy adult teeth, so it’s important that we take care of them as much as possible. 

How does baby bottle tooth decay form?

The cavities that develop in infants resulting from baby bottle tooth decay typically occur due to prolonged exposure to sugary liquids. They tend to hit the front teeth first. Putting a child to sleep with a sippy cup or bottle of milk, formula, or juice can lead to tooth decay in no time at all. It can also happen if your child drinks these liquids during the day, so it’s important to limit those sugary treats where you can.

How to Spot Early Signs

There are a few things to watch for when trying to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. If your child begins to complain about any discomfort or sensitivity while eating, this is a common sign that something is going on. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry if you have any concerns. The sooner we address the problem, the easier it will be to treat. While caring for your child’s teeth, keep an eye out for white spots or lines on their teeth near the gum line. These white marks could be caused by worn enamel, a sign that there is a cavity forming beneath. 

Common Causes

Baby bottle tooth decay is typically avoidable. We understand how rough some of those nights can be. The baby won’t sleep, and you’re practically passing out standing up. The temptation is strong on nights like these, and you want more than anything for everyone to get at least one night of good sleep. This is how it starts. 

You give the baby a bottle to sleep with, and everyone gets a few extra minutes of shut-eye. The problem is, this means your little one’s teeth are almost constantly exposed to the sugars inside that bottle, whether it’s filled with juice, milk, or formula.

Nighttime isn’t the only time when sugary drinks can cause problems. Whenever possible, it’s important to limit the treats and juices that your child has throughout the day. If it’s going to be a few hours before they brush their teeth, all of that sugar is just going to sit on their enamel and get right to work creating cavities. 

Prevention Tips

If your child gets thirsty throughout the night, you don’t have to make them go without. Don’t be afraid to put your little one to bed with some water for those midnight wakeups. After all, a lot of us still need a few sips when we wake up in the middle of the night. Do this instead of offering milk or juice.

Caring for those little teeth starts earlier than many people realize. Even before those baby teeth make it through the gums, it’s important to wipe down the gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding. Once those adorable teeth make it through, it’s time to switch to brushing them twice a day.

Of course, limit those sugary beverages whenever possible. If your little one does indulge in a tasty juice or other sugary drink, just be sure they get their teeth brushed sooner rather than later.

Treatment Options

Baby bottle tooth decay is one of the reasons why it’s important to take your child to their pediatric dentist early. In fact, it’s suggested you take them to the dentist around their first birthday or whenever the first tooth comes in, whichever comes first. At these early appointments, if there are any signs of tooth decay, the team will help make a game plan to combat any issues. Depending on the severity of the case, treatment could include options such as fillings or crowns.

Keep Treatment Easier with Early Detection

When it comes to problems with a person’s teeth, prevention is always the goal. No one wants to deal with a cavity, and that is especially true with children. Sometimes, things happen despite the best efforts to keep the decay away. Genetics play a role, and life sometimes gets away from us. If at all possible, it’s important to catch these problems sooner rather than later to keep the treatment short and sweet.

Remember, to keep your child’s teeth as healthy as possible, don’t forget to schedule your child’s first dental visit by age one! Sure, they don’t have many teeth yet, but those early visits make a difference in how they perceive the dentist and let us all prevent problems later on in life.