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Baby Bottles and Tooth Decay: What Parents Can Do to Prevent It

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Baby bottles can potentially cause tooth decay. In fact, many infants develop a condition called baby bottle mouth. Baby bottle mouth causes tooth decay. Some children end up losing many of their baby teeth as a result of this condition. The good news is that baby bottle mouth can be prevented. Below are some tips for preventing tooth decay in infants:

Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle on her mouth

This is a major mistake that many parents make. Putting a child to sleep with a bottle will most likely lead to tooth decay. If you choose to put your child to sleep with a bottle, then you should pour some water in it instead of juice or milk.

Start brushing your child’s teeth at an early age

You can start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as he or she has a tooth. Early dental care is the key to preventing cavities and other dental problems. However, you do not need to use any toothpaste until the child turns two. You can also massage and clean the areas that do not have teeth.

Never put soft drinks in your child’s bottle

Soft drinks cause tooth decay. They can also cause the enamel to erode. For that reason, you should not put anything in your child’s bottle other than formula, milk, and water. Children should not be drinking soft drinks because they do not contain any of the nutrients that a child needs to grow healthy.

Decrease your child’s intake of sugar

Your child’s consumption of sugary foods and beverages should be limited. Your child’s risk of developing tooth decay will be even higher if he or she consumes sugary foods and beverages between meals.

Take your child to the dentist as soon as she reaches 1 year old

In the past, experts stated that children did not need to see the dentist until the age of three. Today, experts recommend that children see the dentist by their first birthday. A dentist may recommend a sealant, which is a coating that helps protect the tooth from decay.

Baby bottle mouth is a serious condition, but again, it can be prevented. Taking good care of your child’s teeth and taking him or her to the dentist early are the keys to preventing this condition. Furthermore, your child’s consumption of sugar should be limited, and he or she should never be put to bed with a bottle.