Tooth decay in infants and young children is referred to as nursing bottle caries. This happens when there is prolonged exposure of infant's teeth to liquids that contains sugar (milk, formula or fruit juice).
This article discusses about the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of baby bottle tooth decay.
Causes of baby bottle tooth decay
Nursing bottle caries can occur when the baby is put to bed with the bottle containing milk or other sweetened liquids like juice. Bacteria in the mouth live to digest sugary and starchy food or drinks multiply and form acid. This acid attacks the enamel of tooth/teeth gradually dissolving other layers of tooth resulting in tooth decay.
The upper front teeth are more susceptible to get decayed from baby bottles.
Symptoms
If the decay is caught earlier, there is no need of root canal treatment. This is the reason why dentist recommends visiting them regularly.
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This article discusses about the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of baby bottle tooth decay.
Causes of baby bottle tooth decay
Nursing bottle caries can occur when the baby is put to bed with the bottle containing milk or other sweetened liquids like juice. Bacteria in the mouth live to digest sugary and starchy food or drinks multiply and form acid. This acid attacks the enamel of tooth/teeth gradually dissolving other layers of tooth resulting in tooth decay.
The upper front teeth are more susceptible to get decayed from baby bottles.
Symptoms
- White or brown spots appearing on teeth
- Pain
- Swelling and bleeding gums
- Fever caused by gum or tooth infection
Prevention
Following are some tips for preventing tooth decay in children:
Following are some tips for preventing tooth decay in children:
- After every bottle-feed, clean your child's gums and teeth gently with a soft cloth or a gauze pad. This will help in removing any bacteria that contains plaque and excess sugars that may have built up.
- Begin to brush your baby's tooth as soon as his/her first tooth erupts.
- When all the baby's teeth have erupted, use a pea size amount of toothpaste for brushing the baby's teeth prescribed by your dentist.
- If your child is using pacifier, make sure that it is clean and sterlized. Never dip it in honey or other sugars.
- Never put your child to bed with a bottle that contains sweetened liquids or the liquids that contains natural sugars like milk, formula or fruit juice.
- Begin encouraging your child to drink from a cup from six months onwards.
- Arrange regular dental checkups as soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts.
- Encourage healthy eating habits.
- Supervise your child's tooth brushing until the age of 5-6 years.
Treatment
For treating this kind of decay, the dentist will remove the decayed portion from the tooth/teeth and fills the cavity with a material called as composite resin or silver amalgam, thus restoring and protecting the tooth. If the decay is severe and has attacked the tooth pulp, the dentist will perform the root canal treatment.
For treating this kind of decay, the dentist will remove the decayed portion from the tooth/teeth and fills the cavity with a material called as composite resin or silver amalgam, thus restoring and protecting the tooth. If the decay is severe and has attacked the tooth pulp, the dentist will perform the root canal treatment.
If the decay is caught earlier, there is no need of root canal treatment. This is the reason why dentist recommends visiting them regularly.
Related Links:
Dentist Hampstead
Dental implants in London
Dentist London
Cosmetic Dentist London
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