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It’s not uncommon to hear about adults suffering from cavities and tooth decay, but did you know these issues can affect babies too? According to the family dentist at Anchorage Dental Center, baby bottle tooth decay starts from the early stages of infancy and continues later in life too.

Providing exceptional dental services in Alaska, the dentist office reveals some important facts about baby bottle tooth decay.

3 Important Facts Your Family Dentist Explains About Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

1. What Causes It

Tooth decay in babies happens when their mouths are not properly cleaned after they consume liquids with natural or artificial sugars. Prolonged exposure to sugar creates a breeding ground for decay-causing bacteria and affects babies’ oral health adversely. Your local dental office especially warns against giving infants pacifiers or bottle nipples dipped in sweetened liquids. In addition, the lack of saliva during sleep makes it especially harmful to feed babies right before and during sleep time.

2. How It Affects Teeth

Family DentistA common misconception is that baby bottle tooth decay ends after children lose their baby teeth. However, Anchorage Dental Center corrects this misinformation by noting that tooth damage caused in infancy can seriously impact adult teeth. Tooth decay among babies can cause them to lose teeth, which affects their ability to eat and speak properly. Moreover, the loss of teeth at an early age leads to alignment issues in their adult teeth.

3. How You Can Prevent It

To prevent your child from encountering long-term repercussions from tooth decay, Anchorage Dental Center emphasizes preventative methods. If your baby doesn’t have any teeth, use a clean washcloth to wipe their gums after every feeding. Once the teeth show, use a baby-sized toothbrush to clean their pearly whites and establish healthy dental habits from an early stage.

With help and guidance from the in-house family dentist at Anchorage Dental Center, you can help young children maintain optimum oral health. Set up an appointment with the dental clinic at (907) 278-2521 to receive comprehensive oral care solutions for your infant. You can also visit their website to learn about the procedures and treatments the dentist office offers.

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