Baby bottle tooth decay is a serious dental problem among babies. It generally develops when your child constantly consumes sugary drinks in their bottle, especially when taking a nap or going to sleep. The sugar particles cling to the teeth and create cavities, giving your child a decayed and rotten smile. To help you prevent this dental issue from taking over your child’s smile, our Oakdale Family Dentistry team recommends doing the following things:
· Wipe your child’s mouth with a moist washcloth or gauze pad after each feeding. This will wash the harmful particles away from the teeth and gums.
· Once your child’s teeth grow into place, brush them twice a day with a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Until they are 3 years old, please only use a small amount of toothpaste to brush—about the size of a small grain of rice. Between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, feel free to use a pea-sized amount of paste.
· Supervise your child as they brush. That way, they will thoroughly clean their smile and they will not swallow the toothpaste.
· Only place milk, formula, and breast milk in the bottle. Sugary drinks, like soda and juice, can harm the chompers.
· Make sure your child finishes their bottle before they take a nap or go to bed.
· Do not dip your child’s binky in honey or sugar before giving it to them.
For more information on how to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, call Oakdale Family Dentistry now at 651-731-6464 and talk to a member of our caring dental team! We also encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Frank Russomanno, Jr. if your child has already become a victim of this common dental issue.