What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Yes, even baby teeth can develop cavities!

It’s a milestone when your child’s baby teeth come in. Of course, this also means practicing good oral care to prevent decay and other issues from happening to your little one’s rapidly developing smile. You might think to yourself, “They are only baby teeth and they’ll fall out anyway.” However, as our Kenosha, WI, family dentist Dr. Todd Armstrong will tell you, these teeth are important for developing speech and properly chewing food, and they are space holders for their permanent teeth.

Here are some helpful tips to reduce your child’s risk for developing baby bottle tooth decay,

Don’t Clean Pacifiers With Your Mouth

If your child throws their pacifier on the floor you may simply think you can pop it in your mouth to clean it off, but you might want to think again. After all, adults have bacteria in their mouths that are responsible for decay. Children don’t yet have these bacteria. So, by transferring your saliva into your child’s mouth you are also passing along bacteria that could lead to childhood decay.

Only Use Breastmilk, Formula, or Water

While your little one will be consuming breastmilk or formula for the first 12 months of life, as they get a little older you may be tempted to place other liquids such as juices or even sodas in their bottles or sippy cups as a treat. This is something that our Kenosha, WI, family dentist will advise you not to do. It’s this constant exposure to sugar from juices and sodas that can contribute to decay.

Don’t Leave Bottles in Bed

If your child treats their bottle like a security blanket then you may think there’s no harm in leaving their bottle in the crib with them; however, it’s important that you don’t do this (and we aren’t just talking about juices or sodas; this includes all liquids). Even just placing milk in the bottle overnight could increase your child’s risk for cavities. It’s a good rule of thumb to provide them with something to drink when they ask for it and with mealtimes, but not to constantly expose their teeth to these liquids all day (or night) long.

With more and more children coming into our office with decay, our Kenosha, Wi, family dentist Dr. Armstrong, and his team want to make sure that parents understand how to properly care for their newborn and infant’s smiles. If you have questions about caring for your child’s smile, don’t hesitate to call us at (262) 694-7672.


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