Dear Parents… Have You Heard Of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Feeding your little one is one of the first lovely challenges you face as a new parent. (There are plenty more to come) Whether you choose to breastfeed or use a bottle, it’s never too early to start looking after their teeth and gums. Many parents have come to us with damage caused by baby bottle tooth decay which is a condition you may not have heard of. This simple guide tells you everything you need to know from the causes to how to prevent it to get your little one’s dental journeys off to the best start.

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby bottle tooth decay is a condition caused by consistent exposure to sugary liquids. This can be through a bottle, juices, snacks or surprisingly breast milk that they drink at naptime or bedtime. It can sometimes be referred to as infant caries due to the cavities being caused by too much sugar. The decay is most often on the front teeth where the sugar has the most impact. The good news is with awareness and early prevention baby bottle tooth decay can be avoided altogether.

How Can You Prevent It?

Preventing baby bottle tooth decay firstly requires understanding what the condition is and how it is caused – so hoorah, you’ve made the first steps. Now for the simple actions to take to keep your littles one’s teeth free from decay and cavities. Introducing these healthy habits as soon as possible will keep healthy dental journeys on the best path.

Choose water for bedtime on naptime bottles

An easy swap to protect their teeth is to swap sugary drinks and formula for water if they want a bottle at bedtime. This prevents sugar impacting their teeth for a long period of time which can cause decay. In general avoid filling bottles with sweet drinks. While they are ok occasionally, too much sugar is not so sweet for their teeth.

Brush after feeding

Getting into the habit of brushing after feeding is great for their teeth. This helps remove little bits of food and prevents plaque build up. You can always ask your dentist for a recommendation for toothpaste that best suits your little one’s teeth and gums. It is good to get them used to the routine of brushing after feeding. This will help develop healthy habits as they get older. Good dental habits start young and it’s never too soon to start looking after their teeth and gums.

Look Out For Sneaky Sugar

Sometimes it is not obvious that a drink or formula contains sugar. Be wary of sneaky sugar in juices, drinks and snacks. Be careful not to dip pacifiers or bottles in sugar or honey. All that exposure can add up over time, little gums and teeth are incredibly sensitive and can quickly become impacted.

Dental Check Ups

From six months (or even sooner) start checking in with your dentist. The earlier you start their dental journeys the better they will be. From preventing dental phobia, addressing and resolving complications to ensuring healthy smile.development. The sooner your little one has a dentist looking after their teeth the better for everyone. Discomfort can make life miserable for them and for you. It can be overwhelming when you do not understand exactly what is causing the pain. We get that here at Love Teeth Kids. Giving parents peace of mind that your littles ones’ teeth are healthy is what we are here for.

What Are Some Signs of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

If you recognise any of these symptoms in your child’s teeth they could already be experiencing baby bottle tooth decay. These symptoms could be linked to other conditions, however they indicate that something in their daily routine is causing cavity build up and likely needs a dentist to take a closer look at the damage.

Chalky white bands

Pain and Sensitivity

Swelling around the teeth

Cavities

Yellow or brown spots

Irritation

What Can You Do If You Are Concerned?

Remember, baby bottle tooth decay is a common condition that many parents are not aware of. The good news is if your child is experiencing symptoms there is plenty you can do to resolve complications and get their healthy smiles back on track. Your dentist can advise on what treatment is best from fluoride treatments, regular hygiene to healthy habits you can start at home. To help parents we have a lot of resources available for download on our instagram and run regular free ortho events with lots of goodies to give away. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you are the first to know about exclusive offers. To book an appointment simply give us a call, click or pop in and see us. We are here to keep little ones and Mums and Dads smiling.