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Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by sugary liquids coming into prolonged contact with your baby’s teeth. This includes formula and breastmilk, which both contain sugar. The sugar feeds oral bacteria that then release acids which weaken tooth enamel. This dental erosion process creates cavities. But there’s good news! Did you know that early childhood cavities are entirely preventable? That’s right. And we have 5 easy ways to help you keep your child’s oral health in tip-top shape:
1. Use bottles for feeding, not as a replacement for pacifiers. Long-term exposure to sugary liquid – like a leisurely bottle that eases baby to sleep – is the primary cause of baby bottle dental decay. If your child can’t seem to sleep without nursing on a bottle, fill it with water.
2. Clean baby’s gums with a damp gauze pad or soft cloth after every feeding. And once their teeth come in, begin brushing with a tiny drop of toothpaste and soft toothbrush.
3. Sippy cups are a short-term solution. Many people use sippy cups as a way to transition from bottle or breast to drinking from a cup. The American Dental Association advises using sippy cups only for a very short period of time, as prolonged use may nudge teeth out of their proper position. It’s best to switch to regular cups by age one.
4. Take good care of baby teeth. You might think that tooth decay in baby teeth isn’t a big deal – those teeth are going to be replaced with permanent teeth anyway, right? But those first teeth help a child chew properly and speak clearly during the early years. Remember – it can take a decade (or more!) for your child’s baby teeth to be fully replaced by adult teeth. Baby teeth also hold space for permanent teeth to grow in straight and well-aligned.
5. Start seeing the dentist. Schedule an appointment with your dentist or a pediatric dentist between the time the first tooth erupts and baby’s first birthday. If finances are keeping you from visiting the dentist, consider a dental savings plan, which can provide discounts of 10-60% on virtually all dental procedures for the whole family. Compare plans in your area and see what you can save here.