Baby bottle tooth decay is tooth decay that occurs in babies and little kids. This is a severe dental condition requiring your pediatric dentist's care. Your pediatric dentist, Dr. Jody Cremer of NRH Pediatric Dentistry is devoted to providing preventive dentistry in North Richland Hill, TX, for your kids.
Causes of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby bottle tooth decay occurs due to your baby's teeth exposure to sugary drinks for extended periods. For instance, if you put your baby to sleep with a bottle in their mouth they could develop tooth decay. The bacteria in your baby's mouth break down the sugar in the drinks to form acid. The acid formed this way wears away the protective enamel of your child's teeth causing early childhood tooth decay.
A parent can also pass on the bacteria causing tooth decay to their child. This bacterial transfer can occur when you put your child's spoon or pacifier in your mouth and transfer it to your child's mouth.
How to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
These techniques can reduce your kid's chances of getting baby bottle tooth decay.
- Don't share items that go in your mouth such as spoons and pacifiers with your child
- Clean your child's mouth immediately after feeding
- Supervise your child while they brush their teeth to ensure they clean up well and spit out the toothpaste
- Don't put sugary drinks in your child's bottle
- Don't put your child to sleep with a bottle in their mouth
- Ensure your child only uses a clean pacifier
- Avoid feedings that exceed 30 minutes close to bedtime or nap time.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry in North Richland Hill, TX, can help you protect your kid's oral health and reduce their chances of getting childhood tooth decay. For example, fluoride treatments help strengthen your child's teeth. Therefore, it can make them less likely to get baby bottle tooth decay.
Dental sealants are also preventive dental procedures that can keep your child's teeth healthy as they grow older. Dental sealants cover grooves in your kid's teeth and make them tooth decay-resistant.
If you'd like to learn more ways that preventive dentistry in North Richland Hill, TX, can prevent baby bottle tooth decay, schedule your dental appointment with Dr. Cremer of NRH Pediatric Dentistry by calling (817) 427-1700.