Yet they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important and still susceptible to cavities.

Tooth decay in infants is known to be baby bottle tooth decay. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have the best-looking smile. 

Their first teeth are also crucial to the growth of straight and healthy teeth in their adulthood. It’s essential to get infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Causes of baby bottle tooth decay
Baby bottle tooth decay most frequently happens in the upper front teeth, however other teeth may likewise be affected.

Many factors can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the regular, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can happen when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

Tooth decay is a disease that can start with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother or primary caregiver to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be easily passed to the baby.

If your infant does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. Fortunately, baby bottle tooth decay is preventable.

How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

• Don’t share saliva with the baby through the common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After every feeding, make sure to wipe your child’s gums with a clean and damp cloth.
• At the point when your child’s teeth come in, brush them tenderly with a child-size toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for ages 3 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste typically not before they’re 6 or 7.
• If your child uses a pacifier, give a clean one.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup when they’re one year old.
• Encourage them to have healthy eating habits.

When your child’s first tooth appears, make sure to speak to your dentist about scheduling the first dental visit. Always treat the first dental visit as you would treat a well-baby checkup with the child’s physician. Always remember to start early because it is the key to a lifetime of good dental health.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!