Although a baby's teeth are temporary, they're still susceptible to tooth decay. At Healthy Smiles Dental Care in Windsor Locks, CT, Dr. Chris Kim is an expert in pediatric dentistry and understands the importance of healthy teeth and gums in infants.
Examining Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
The term "baby bottle tooth decay" refers to the decaying of an infant's front teeth from the sugar found in formula, milk, and artificially flavored drinks. Also known as early childhood caries or infant caries, bottle tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth multiply and erodes an infant's front teeth and enamel.
Bacteria found in an infant's mouth feed on the sugar found in formula and milk. When infants hold bottles in their mouths for extended periods, the sugar from what is in the child's bottle will coat the teeth — resulting in rapid tooth decay.
Signs and Symptoms of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
The upper incisors are most susceptible to baby bottle tooth decay, but all of an infant's teeth can experience decay. In many cases, brown spots will start to appear on the teeth, and it's not uncommon for an infant to experience pain or swelling as the decay worsens.
If problems develop, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim and his team of pediatric dentistry experts at Helping Smiles Dental Care in Windsor Locks, CT, immediately.
Serious problems can and do occur from baby bottle tooth decay. Infection, improper adult teeth development and poor eating habits can result from infant tooth decay. If baby bottle tooth decay isn't treated, an infant may have difficulty chewing or chewing without pain, or the child's adult teeth may grow crooked.
Tips To Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Parents shouldn't put their children to sleep with milk or juice in a bottle. Sugar from these drinks will coat an infant's teeth for hours. Additionally, parents should try to wean their infants off bottles as soon as possible. By the first birthday, an infant should be learning to drink from a cup, according to the American Dental Association.
Call (860) 623-2601 to schedule an appointment or speak with Dr. Kim's pediatric dentistry specialists at Helpful Smiles Dental Care in Windsor Locks, CT, to learn more about the harmful effects of baby bottle tooth decay and what you can do to protect your infant's teeth and gums.