Teeth in babies are little yet mighty! Baby teeth serve essential functions as your kid learns to speak, chew, and bite, form good oral hygiene practices, and develop self-confidence, although they only last for around ten years.
Your child needs healthy teeth that are strong enough to withstand them throughout childhood. Because their immune systems are all still growing, babies are more vulnerable to bacteria, germs, and common childhood illnesses like tooth decay from baby bottles. Contacting a pediatric dentist in Bismarck, ND, is a good idea in such cases.
Bottle rot is what?
Bottle rot, also known as baby formula dental decay, is a dangerous illness that affects children when they consume sugary beverages regularly for extended periods. Sugar exposure regularly promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which causes an infection of the gums and teeth.
Because most infants do not initially exhibit symptoms, baby bottle dental decay frequently advances undetected; yet, if ignored, this condition can permanently harm your child’s teeth.
How does baby bottle tooth rot occur in children?
Drinking sweet liquids, such as milk or infant formula, coats the teeth and encourages bacterial development and the production of acids. Cavities and dental decay result from these acids attacking the enamel, the teeth’s protective outer coating.
Causes of bottle rot include:
- Giving your frequent infant feedings.
- Infants snooze while holding a bottle in their mouths.
- Mom, a guardian, or a dad could have transmitted bacteria to the baby.
- Before going to bed, kids drink sugary beverages, which permits the acids to destroy their teeth.
How can I stop teeth rot caused by infant bottles?
Here are some recommendations for avoiding tooth damage caused by infant bottles:
- 0 to 12 months of age: Use a soft cloth to clean your baby’s gums gently. When their first tooth erupts, gently wash their teeth using a very gentle baby toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste recommended by the ADA.
- Twelve to three years. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time using a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste that the ADA has authorized. Brush twice a day, after brunch and before bed, using a rice-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Baby bottles should only contain powder, milk, or breast milk.
- High-sugar beverages, such as juices, soft drinks, or sugar water, can quickly cause bacterial growth in the container and on your child’s teeth.
- Allowing your child to sleep with the formula in their mouth is not a good idea.
- Do not let them use their baby bottle like a pacifier unless it contains nothing but water. Your child’s teeth could be exposed to sweets and acids all night if you soothe them with a baby bottle.
