Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sarah Barrs and Staff Sgt. Danielle Hauch
  • 19th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  We have all heard about tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. However, there is one form of tooth decay that doesn't get nearly as much attention as it should, especially since it affects those who cannot prevent it on their own, our children. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is a form of tooth decay that affects infants and young children. BBTD often occurs when sweetened liquids, even those with natural sugars such as those found in juice, formula, and milk are left to sit on our children's teeth. Bacteria found in their mouths begin to feed off of this sugar and creates an acidic byproduct that attacks their teeth. BBTD usually affects the front teeth more significantly but can cause harm, problems and unsightly cavities on all of their teeth. The most crucial time for these cavities to form is when your child is peacefully sleeping. Suddenly, the saliva production stops, and any liquid still lingering in their mouth begins to pool around their little teeth and start to dissolve their enamel layer. This process doesn't always occur during sleep, however. BBTD can also occur when your child is left to walk around with a bottle of milk or juice for the majority of the day.

Baby teeth, though temporary, play a vital role in every person's development and therefore should not be considered unimportant. Not only are these teeth necessary for chewing, smiling, and talking, but they also act as a placeholder for adult teeth. If BBTD is left untreated, pain and infection could occur and in more severe cases, the teeth may even need to be removed. It's our responsibility as parents, family members, and friends to learn as much as we can about BBTD and do everything we can to prevent it from happening to those we love most.

Preventing BBTD is as simple as 1-2-3.

1. Start young with good oral hygiene habits. Basic oral hygiene should be implemented before a child even has teeth. Wipe your baby's gums with a washcloth after each feeding and massage the gums.
2. Practice good dental habits. Have your children visit a dentist regularly. It is a good idea to have your child visit a dentist by the time they are 18 months old. Talk to your dentist about fluoride use (which helps lessen cavities) and when to start using fluoride.
3. Watch your child's diet. Don't fill bottles with sugar water, soft drinks, or juice. Bottles should be used for milk, water, formula and special electrolyte containing solutions when the child has diarrhea.

It's never too late to break bad habits. Start to carry out those good habits, diet and hygiene practices now. Your efforts to prevent problems now for your child and their teeth will set them up for success in the future and allow them to keep that beautiful smile, you love to see, healthy.