Author: Anonymous posted: Oct. Your beautiful baby is finally asleep, bottle clutched in tiny hands, dreaming sweet dreams with a charming milky smile. Unfortunately, this lovely fantasy might lead to a rude awakening. If your child goes to sleep every night with a bottle, the chance of childhood cavities greatly increases. In fact, there is even a name for itβbaby bottle tooth decay. Cavities are created when oral bacteria produce acids that erode enamel, the protective outer coating of the tooth.
These bacteria love to feed on sugar. Baby formula and even breast milk contain carbohydrates in the form of sugars. And this is not a bad thing! Carbohydrates are essential for babies and adults as well for growth and development. Lactose, the sugar found in breast milk, is a carb that is easy for your baby to digest and helps good bacteria in the digestive system grow.
Liquid can pool in the mouth bathing those perfect new teeth with sugar all through the night. Eventually, sugar left in the mouth all night will lead to the development of cavities, and in severe cases, to infection and even tooth loss.
The upper front teeth are most often affected, but other baby teeth can become decayed as well. Your child will start losing those baby teeth around the age of six, but primary teeth provide many irreplaceable benefits before they are, well, replaced. Using the teeth to bite and chew food helps form proper eating habits and develop jaw and facial muscles. Baby teeth help with speech development, and they serve as place holders to make sure the adult teeth erupt in the right spot.
Losing baby teeth too early can interfere with all of these goals. Once those little teeth have come in, use a baby-size toothbrush to gently clean them. Talk to us about toothpasteβwhen and how much is appropriate for your child. Babies generally require breastfeeding or formula at night to get the nutrition they need. If your toddler carries a bottle or sippy cup through the day, or insists on a bottle at night, talk to us or your pediatrician for ideas on how and when to substitute tooth-healthy options such as water.
