Feeding Bottle

Tooth decay occurs in kids and infants is termed as Baby bottle tooth decay and toddler tooth decay. Every parent should take care of their toddler’s teeth as they serve as the foundation for the adult or permanent teeth. Decay is the main culprit for milk teeth and makes the baby teeth prone to lose or fall out.

The feeding bottle and Pacifiers you use to soothe your kid are also a reason for baby tooth decay, Do you know? Scroll down the page to know more.

How does a feeding bottle cause teeth decay?

Sweetened liquids and other liquids that contain natural sugar entered through the feeding bottle make the teeth highly vulnerable to dental caries.

Consuming drinks with feeding bottle takes a long time. Nowadays, the feeding bottles are designed with a feature like pushing the liquid back to the mouth. This makes the teeth continuously exposed to the sugary components present in the liquid. Similarly, placing a pacifier dipped in sweetened liquids make the teeth communicate the sugar substances for a long time.

Following are the drinks which cause teeth cavities in kids and babies:

  • Sugary Drinks
  • Milk (and even breast milk)
  • Juice
  • Formula
  • Honey

The bacteria present in the mouth the take advantage of the sugars cling to the teeth and convert them into acids. The acidic substance weakens the teeth enamel and causes tooth decay.

If your little champ falls asleep with the pacifier or baby bottle in her mouth, then the habit will gift her dental cavities.

As the salivary flow is constantly decreased when we sleep, saliva cannot effectively clear away the sugar deposition on the teeth. Thus your kid’s teeth become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to tooth decay.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay early signs

The kids are very young and not mature enough to identify the issues on their teeth. Unlike cavities in permanent teeth, toddler teeth decay is invisible. Hence you need to aware of the uncommon signs apparent on the infant’s teeth. Few early symptoms of toddler tooth decay include:

  • Biofilm on the gum edges
  • White spots on the teeth
  • Brown or yellow colored spots on the teeth
  • Intense pain in the gum

When you identify these signs on your toddler’s teeth, visit your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Ways to prevent baby bottle tooth decay

Treating and reversing toddler tooth decay is a tedious process. It is important to maintain an efficient oral hygiene routine to avoid baby bottle tooth decay.

Sucking pacifiers and baby bottle are really a pleasant and soothing experience during infancy. Don’t regret your baby to utilize these. But you should indulge in activities to prevent cavities caused by these appliances.

  • Don’t let our infant fall asleep with the feeding bottle in the mouth.
  • Give your kid a bottle of milk during the mealtime alone. Fill the bottle with water and make your kid suck it for the rest of the day.
  • Clean the teeth and gums with a wet washcloth after finished drinking with the baby bottle.
  • If your kid completes 1 year, feed him/her with a cup.
  • Don’t give your child a pacifier dipped in sweet solutions or sweet drinks.
  • When the teeth begin to appear, brush them with water instead of toothpaste.

Conclusion

Pacifiers and feeding bottles are beneficial for a baby to soothe and get nourishment. However, feeding sugary drinks with these ends in toddler tooth decay. It is recommended to limit using these and implement the mentioned decay prevention tips to safeguard your little champ’s milk teeth from the dental cavity.