Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: What It Is & How to Prevent It

When your child’s baby teeth begin to make their first appearance, the idea of them becoming damaged or decayed is far from your mind. However, this can quickly become a reality when unhealthy dental habits are present. Sadly, many parents are unaware of the fact that putting their little one to bed with milk or juice is one of them. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon known as baby bottle tooth decay and how you can prevent it!

The Common Causes of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

As the name suggests, baby bottle tooth decay refers to the phenomenon in which cavities can form due to prolonged exposure to milk or juice. After all, breast milk, formula, and “natural” fruit juices all contain sugar, which can quickly erode the surface of your infant’s teeth. It’s important to know that baby bottle tooth decay can also occur when the mother unintentionally passes the harmful bacteria in her mouth onto the baby. Most often, this is a result of sharing spoons and cleaning the pacifier/baby bottle cap with her mouth.

5 Tips for Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

The good news is that, despite their prevalence, cavities are largely preventable. To help keep your infant’s teeth decay-free, here are a few best practices to implement:

• Don’t share feeding spoons, lick their pacifier, or do anything else that can share your saliva.
• Begin brushing their teeth with a child-sized toothbrush as soon as their first one emerges.
• Don’t put them to bed with a bottle.
• Start good oral hygiene habits, like going to the dentist, at a young age.
• Avoid giving them foods that have added sugar.

When to Bring Your Child in to Meet Their Dentist

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit their dentist when their first tooth breaks through the gumline or by their first birthday. Typically, this visit is largely focused on the pediatric dentist getting to know your little one. Before the end of the appointment, they will take a look at their teeth and gums before providing you with any specific tips for caring for your child’s smile at home.

Your child’s baby teeth play an essential role in their smile, bite, and speech. So, preventing baby bottle tooth decay is essential. Fortunately, between their visits to their dentist and a solid at-home oral hygiene routine, you can!

About the Practice

At New England Kids Pediatric Dentistry, our team thrives on providing compassionate and comfortable care to children of all ages. With two certified pediatric dentists and an orthodontist in-house, we hope to be your go-to resource for all of your child’s smile-related needs throughout the years, starting when they’re an infant! If it’s time for your child’s first visit, they are overdue for their six-month checkup, or you simply have a question about baby bottle tooth decay, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 508-832-6278.