Child’s baby teeth are important and are very much prone to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. There are many factors that can cause tooth decay.

One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. Tooth decay can also begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby.

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Do I need the treatment for nursing bottle tooth decay?

Nursing bottle tooth decay should be treated by the pediatric dentist. In case of neglect, the milk tooth decay can damage the permanent tooth, causes swelling and pain, affect the speech and psychological confidence of the child.

How can I Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.

• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
• Place only formula milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.

• Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.

• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.