As parents, we aim to raise healthy children, and teaching excellent oral is surely a big part. Parents may be unaware that excellent oral health does not begin until a kid has a full set of teeth. Tooth decay occurs if a baby drinks from a bottle for an extended period. When a baby is given bottles right before nap or bedtime, they tend to fall asleep with the bottles still in their mouths. Teeth and gums are exposed to liquids for hours, which may cause premature tooth decay, especially if the bottle contains juice or other sweet liquids.
Causes of Tooth Decay
Let’s clarify any confusion regarding which drinks are “sugary.” Almost every liquid your baby drinks that isn’t water has sugar, and even natural sugars can contribute to baby bottle tooth damage. Milk, formula, juice, and breast milk are among the hazardous drinks. The bottle’s design may also increase the likelihood of newborn bottle tooth decay. Normal saliva production is impeded if the bottle is intended to drive the liquid to the back of the baby’s mouth, skipping the tongue. This is essential because saliva protects teeth from biofilm-forming compounds. Cavities are caused by biofilm, a bacterial colony that creates acid and eats away at your enamel. While teething babies create an abundance of saliva, which may give protection and prevent biofilm accumulation, it is crucial to note that when your baby drinks from a bottle for extended periods of time, the teeth and gums are exposed to germs and their corrosive effects.
Signs of Decay
So, how can you determine whether your child is developing baby bottle dental decay? When your child is extremely young and unable to communicate properly, detecting tooth decay before the most evident visual indications is challenging. With that in mind, it’s critical to recognize some of the early warning symptoms, such as white spots on teeth, visible biofilm on the gums, brown or yellow spots on the teeth, and tooth and gum discomfort that isn’t caused by erupting teeth. If your kid looks to have early tooth decay, you should schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible, even if it is your child’s first visit to the dentist.
