We might not think about the risk of cavities to toddlers. After all, they’ve only had their first teeth for a small time. But teeth are sensitive this young & today’s diets are often high in sugar, even for children this young, so it’s important to keep an eye on your toddler’s oral health.
Baby bottle tooth decay, or early childhood caries, can develop almost as soon as your child’s teeth come in. As the name suggests, cavities can start to develop while children are still bottle feeding.
Understanding Decay
Tooth decay can be caused by sugar in formula & from juice & baby food, which can also contain high levels of sugar. This sugar builds up around newly formed teeth & encourages growth of harmful bacteria.
Tooth decay in young children usually occurs in the front teeth, both because molars may not have come in yet & because they are in contact with foods more often due to nursing habits of chewing/sucking on food. This is exasperated if your child sucks on a bottle or other food or unclean item while sleeping.
You can check for tooth decay by inspecting teeth for any discoloration or spots. If your child is unable to get comfortable, this may be a cause, though teething may also still be occurring.
What to Do
Diagnosis can be difficult. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular checkups with your child’s dentist to ensure a lifetime of great oral health & catch problems early if they do arise. Failure to treat issues as they occur can lead to worse problems that affect adult teeth down the road, such as improper alignment & gum disease.
Another way to help your child is to teach them great dental hygiene early & keep it up. At a very young age, wipe off your baby’s gums to keep bacteria from building up using a damp, clean cloth. Even before teeth start showing, your child needs a clean mouth!
As children age, in addition to teaching proper brushing techniques, be sure to keep bottles & pacifiers cleaned. Don’t let your child sleep with a bottle, either, as this severely prolongs exposure to food particles. Finally, it’s recommended to introduce your child to a cup around their first birthday.
And remember, sugar is the real culprit here, so providing nutritious foods low in sugar is key. Even healthy foods like milk already contain plenty of sugars in them. If you have more questions on your child’s oral health, contact your dentist.
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