Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries. Even though milk teeth are temporary but still they are important and are also susceptible to cavities. Baby bottle decay often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. Always remember that a child needs strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak well, and for a sparkling smile. We need to inculcate good oral habits in children from the time the first tooth erupts in the oral cavity and good oral care to help protect them for decades to come.
CAUSES:-
1)Frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby's teeth to drinks that contain sugar.
2) It occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier.
3) Coating the pacifier with some sweetening agent and putting it in the baby's mouth during nighttime.
4) When the mother puts the baby's feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby.
5) If your infant or toddler doesn't receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk of tooth decay.
WAYS OF PREVENTION:-
1) Try not to share saliva with the baby through the common use of a feeding spoon or licking pacifiers. after every feed wipes your child's gum with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
2) When your child's teeth come in brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice-sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
3) Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3-6.
4) Supervise brushing until your child can be counted onto the spit and not to swallow toothpaste - usually not before he or she's 6 or 7. 5) Prefer only formula milk, milk, or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with sugary liquids, juice, or soft drinks.
6) Infants should finish their bedtime or nap time bottles before going to bed.
7) Do not dip the pacifiers in sugar or honey.
8) Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday. and Encourage healthy eating habits. Remember starting early is the key to a lifetime of good dental health. The good part is that all this decay and caries are preventable.
For more information or guidance regarding you and your child's dental health, visit the World Of Dentistry Gurgaon and schedule an appointment with Dr. Rishi Rana and Dr. Charu Rana, who will help you to clear all your doubts and apprehensions.
