Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Many parents believe that their children's baby teeth don’t need as much maintenance as their adult counterparts. This is not at all true. If anything, baby teeth require more care. They are weaker by nature which makes them more susceptible to tooth decay. Teaching your child good dental habits now will continue into adulthood. Schedule your child’s first dental appointment with Southern Cross Dental to avoid the phenomenon known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Drs. Faranak and Navid Rahimpour provide pediatric dental services in the Colorado Springs, CO, area.

 

Cavities are caused by oral bacteria. The byproducts they create wear down your teeth. Their biggest attractors are the sugary substances left behind by foods and drinks. This is the biggest cause of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, and it’s located right in your child's bottle. The American Dental Association recommends only filling infants bottles with breast milk, formula, or milk. Try not to give your child anything high in sugar. This includes juice, soda, and sugar-water. Water is the recommended choice for older children. The water supply in the U.S. naturally contains fluoride, a cavity-fighting chemical.

 

Moisture leads to a surplus of bacteria in the mouth. Avoid giving your child access to a bottle during the night. Carefully clean pacifiers to remove any bacteria. Don’t dip them in any sugary substances like honey.

 

The other main source of baby bottle tooth decay comes from bacteria transferred between mother and child. The mother's saliva contains harmful bacteria. It’s advised to avoid unnecessary mouth-to-mouth contact. Don’t share food or improperly clean their pacifiers as well.

 

Southern Cross Dental is located in Colorado Springs, CO. To schedule your child's appointment with Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour, visit our website or call 719-471-1717.