Baby Bottle Syndrome?
Baby Bottle Syndrome or Early Childhood Caries is the rapid decay of baby teeth in an infant or child from frequent exposure, for long periods of time, to liquids containing sugars. The upper front teeth are most commonly affected.
Common sources of liquids high in sugars are:
1. A bottle containing formula, milk, soda, or juice
2. A pacifier dipped in honey
3. Breast milk
The problem is usually caused by a baby falling asleep while nursing a bottle or breast feeding. When the child is asleep, the sugary liquid pools around the front teeth. In every baby’s mouth, there are lots of bacteria living then turns the sugars to acid which eventually causes decay.
We recommend that the child should not be on a bottle especially at night time, after the age of one. Parents can help prevent Baby Bottle Syndrome by:
- Cleaning your child’s teeth daily
- Not allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle filled with juice, mild, or formula
- Not allowing your child to sip on a bottle filled with juice, mild, or formula for long periods of time as a pacifier
- Giving your child plain water when he/she is thirsty
- Brushing or wiping his/her teeth with wet cloth after milk, juice consumption each night before going to bed ( if the child is still on the bottle)
- Making sure your child gets appropriate fluoride treatment needed to prevent decay
- Making regular and consistent dental appointments for your child starting with his/her first tooth erupts
The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) recommends that a child should visit a dentist before his first birthday of after first tooth shows. That would allow dentists to detect for early childhood decay or Baby Bottle Syndrome.
We designed 7 Day Dental to make your child feel safe, calm, and carefree. Utilizing a professional whose expertise is in Pediatric Dentistry for your child’s dental hygiene will prevent all problems later on in life. Your child’s oral health is very imperative. Baby teeth help building a passage that adult teeth or permanent teeth can follow in.
Please call our conveniently available Laguna Woods office for your child’s next appointment.
Chuck Le, D.D.S.
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