February 15, 2009
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can be devastating. (YKHC file photo)
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
By Melanie Huett, MS, RD, LD, WIC RD Nutrition Educator
What is baby bottle tooth decay?
- A preventable dental disease affecting infants and children
- One of the most common diseases in children
- Affects Native American and Alaska Native children more than other populations
- Can affect one or several teeth
- Usually found on the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected
- Can look like dark pits, holes or broken teeth
How can your child get baby bottle tooth decay?
- Sleeping with a bottle during naps or at night (even breast milk and formula contain sugar)
- Long or frequent use of a bottle
- Sucking a pacifier dipped in honey, syrup, or anything sweet
- Drinking juice, Tang, or pop in a bottle
- Decay is caused by bacteria building up on the teeth when sweetened liquids are given and left on the teeth for long periods
Baby bottle tooth decay may cause:
- Pain
- Cavities
- Crooked permanent teeth
- Speech problems
- Chewing problems
Prevent baby bottle tooth decay:
- Wipe your baby's gums with a clean soft infant toothbrush, gauze pad, or clean washcloth after each feeding
- Put your child to bed without a bottle; if child must have a bottle to sleep, fill it with plain water
- Use a bottle for feeding only; don't let your child walk with a bottle in his or her mouth
- Wean children from the bottle to a cup by 1 year of age
- Brush teeth as soon as they appear
- If your child needs a comforter, give a clean pacifier that has not been dipped in any sweet liquid
- Do not put liquids such as sugar water or soft drinks in a bottle
Source: www.ada.org
