Healthy baby teeth can lead to healthy permanent teeth. We all know that adult teeth will eventually replace them, but still, you need to be careful about your baby teeth as they are also prone to several diseases like decay, cavities, and more.
One of the common problems is baby bottle tooth decay or nursing bottle caries. In this blog, we will look at this oral condition in babies and share some tips and treatments. Let’s dig into details.
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Baby bottle caries is a term used to describe the early childhood decay that arises mainly in the baby’s teeth. The process of baby bottle caries is much similar to what happens to the adult teeth, except that it happens at a much earlier age. These are called infant decay or infant bottle tooth decay. Baby bottles are often made from a high content of sugar and carbohydrates like juice, sweetened water, and more.
Signs of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby teeth are so small, so there is a possibility that you can’t see the signs of bottle tooth decay. However, you can check them on the gum line of their upper front teeth. We recommend visiting your pediatrician or pediatric dentist when your baby is 6 years old, and their first teeth start to erupt.
The symptoms you should look for if you have a feeling of baby bottle tooth decay is:
- White or brown spots on the teeth.
- Pain and discomfort
- The teeth become chipped, cracked, and broken easily.
- Fluctuations in the temperature and salivary flow can make it worse.
How to prevent tooth decay in babies?
Here are a few of the preventions for baby tooth decay:
- Don’t give your baby a bottle when they are sleeping.
- Clean the baby bottle thoroughly every time you use it. A good way is to boil the bottle with water and add a small amount of bleach before washing it.
- Limit the snacks with excessive sugar.
- Do not place any sweet things like candies, honey, etc., in your kid’s pacifier.
- Concentrate on sterilizing the bandages and nipples after every use.
- Provide your child with plenty of saliva when bathing, listening to music, or brushing their teeth.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 6 oz of juices daily and no juice until 6 months.
What are the treatment options for baby bottle tooth decay?
If you are concerned about your child’s baby teeth, we recommend that you get it checked with a reliable pediatric dentist or oral surgeon. It is important to visit them even if you find white spots in their front teeth early.
A good pediatric dentist will thoroughly check your child’s mouth and teeth. If you found any discoloration, chipping, or other issues, there are three main treatment options to choose from:
1- Restoring caries
A cavity or hole in the teeth can be filled with dental restorations like crowns. It is one of the most common treatments for baby bottle tooth decay.
2- Pain relievers and pain control
The pain caused by baby bottle tooth decay can be relieved by using over-the-counter medications and pain relief sprays. If the pain is severe, you may need to consult your doctor or a dentist.
3- Surgery
In extreme cases where the baby bottle tooth decay has resulted in holes in the teeth, surgery is necessary to fix them. You can prevent this problem by avoiding giving your child sugary liquids like juices and soft drinks.
The Importance of Treatment for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
A dentist or oral surgeon will recommend the above three treatment options to you in most cases. The first two options are relatively easy to handle and solve, but surgery is often the only option for baby bottle tooth decay. Therefore, early consultations with your pediatric dentist are important to prevent more serious problems in your child’s health.
Do not be afraid of seeing a pediatric dentist as they are experts in the care of baby teeth. A quick consultation and examination will tell them whether your child needs urgent treatment or not.
What if my baby’s tooth decay is severe?
If your child is suffering from baby bottle tooth decay, it’s better to take action as soon as possible. Also, if the teeth are severely damaged, you might need to see a specialist remove the entire teeth. Your dentist can refer this case to an orthodontist or pediatric dentist. If you are looking for the best pediatric dentist in Dubai, look no further than Dr. Yasmin. We offer top-notch treatments for your baby bottle tooth decay and other dental problems. If you have any questions, book an appointment today or call us at +971505787664.