You might think it is okay to give your little one a warm bottle of milk to help them go to sleep, but unfortunately, this practice can actually do more harm than good. Because formula and breastmilk both contain sugar, the longer it sits on your child’s developing teeth, the greater the risk for what is known as baby bottle tooth decay in McKinney. Read on to learn more about this and what you can do to prevent it.
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay is extremely common among infants. This regular practice of giving a baby a bottle when placing them down for a nap may seem harmless, but what you may not realize is the contents inside often contain high amounts of sugar. Whether it is milk, formula, or juice, the liquid can sit on your baby’s teeth and cause a breakdown of their enamel. When bacteria and plaque begin to form and feed off the sugars, they eventually cause tooth decay.
Symptoms of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Unsure how you can tell if your baby is suffering from early stages of tooth decay? The most common indicator is white spots, but you may need a pediatric dentist in McKinney to identify the problem before you really begin to notice it. Although a few white spots might not seem like a big deal, the reality is if your child’s tooth decay is left untreated, they can begin to experience:
- Pain throughout the mouth
- Infections
- Permanent tooth damage
- Costly restorative dental care
Ways to Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Whether your baby still has a gummy smile or is already sporting a few primary teeth, there are steps you can take to minimize their risk for baby bottle tooth decay. These include:
- Wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, wet washcloth after feedings
- Do not share utensils with your baby (i.e., spoon-sharing, cleaning a pacifier that was on the ground, etc.)
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and enough fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to brush any erupted teeth
- Avoid giving your baby fruit juices and sodas
- Ensure the bottle is empty before your baby goes to bed
- Do not coat your baby’s pacifiers in honey or any other sweet substance
By keeping these tips in mind, you can minimize your baby’s risk for tooth decay early on and begin establishing healthy oral habits. If you need help to identify ways to get your baby to sleep without a bottle, don’t be afraid to ask your child’s pediatric dentist.
About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists who are fathers first. Realizing most parents want to do the right thing by keeping their children on a regular six-month schedule for dental checkups and cleanings, we strive to provide additional insight on ways parents and children can be more proactive at home when it comes to oral health. Visit our website or call (469) 294-8217 if you want to learn more about children’s dentistry and how you can avoid tooth decay, cavities, and other possible dental problems early on.