Baby Bottle Decay

Even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important, and are still susceptible to decay.

Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded.

Also known as “early childhood caries”, a common problem among children under the age of five, but can be avoided through awareness and prevention. There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar (bottle of formula, milk, juice, soft drinks, sugar water, or sugared drinks). Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a baby.

Tooth decay might first appear as white spots at the gum line on the upper front teeth. These spots are hard to see at first, if no prevention is done on this stage serious cavity will appear, teeth might require extensive treatment or extraction.

A child with tooth decay needs to be examined and treated early to stop the decay from spreading and to prevent further damage. Healthy dental habits should begin early.

Don’t hesitate to consult your family dentist at Muswell Hill smile to be guided on how to stop the spreading of the decay.