Baby bottle tooth decay is preventable

***image1***Baby bottle tooth decay, a severe form of early childhood cavities, stems from the frequent consumption of any liquid containing sugar.

Even healthy beverages such as milk and juice (even watered-down juice) contain a natural sugar. Other examples include soda, Kool-Aid and sports drinks. The sugar in these liquids then becomes food for the bacteria. They form acid that dissolves tooth enamel, or the outer layer of the tooth.

Children who develop these patterns of early childhood cavities have a greater chance of continuing to get cavities in both baby and permanent teeth.
Here are some things you can do to prevent such patterns:

1  Never put a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing any liquid other than water.

2  Encourage children to drink from a cup by age 1.

3  Limit sugary drinks to meals or snacktime; otherwise, fill bottles and sippy cups with water.

4  Avoid frequent consumption of gummy-type candy. These can stick to the teeth for a prolonged amount of time.

5  Visit your local dentist within six months of the first tooth eruption or by age 1.

6  Ensure your child is exposed to fluoride. Fluoridated toothpaste and bottled water with fluoride are good sources of fluoride for children.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.  To mark this occasion, a variety of dental related topics will be discussed throughout the month.