Bottles are useful for young children who can hold them well enough to feed themselves. However, without careful supervision, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Although these issues are treatable, especially in their early stages, it’s still better to avoid them altogether. You don’t have to take the bottle away, but you should be informed about how to keep your child’s mouth healthy when they use it. 

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? 

Children often drink liquids like fruit juice, milk, and baby formula from bottles. These substances contain natural sugars that coat the teeth. The sugars attract bacteria that feed on them to create acid, which infects the teeth and causes decay. It’s especially likely to occur while your child is sleeping, when saliva production decreases. This is known as baby bottle tooth decay.  

If you notice brown or dark-colored spots forming on your child’s teeth, especially in the upper jaw, this may indicate baby bottle tooth decay. When left to fester, it can lead to cavities and gum disease. Losing their baby teeth too early to infection can cause your child’s adult teeth to grow in crookedly. It may also contribute to speech problems, poor chewing, chronic mouth pain, and vulnerability to additional infections. 

How Can Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Be Prevented? 

Before your baby’s teeth erupt, keep their gums clean by wiping them with a soft, clean washcloth or gauze after meals. As the teeth start to show up, brush them without toothpaste, and massage the gaps in the gums. Once your child has a full set of teeth, brush them routinely with toothpaste and floss them. Make sure the toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride so that they don’t swallow it. Check with a dentist about whether you should get fluoride supplements if there’s no fluoride in your water supply. 

Furthermore, avoid letting your child take naps or go to bed with a bottle holding anything other than water. In fact, reduce their sugar intake altogether by regularly giving them water, diluted juice, or sugar-free liquids. Limit consumption of other sugary foods as well.  

Additionally, make appointments for your child to see a dentist every six months. That way, the dentist can catch and treat baby bottle tooth decay or gum disease if it starts developing. 

You can protect your child from baby bottle tooth decay, gum disease, and any other dental issue common to kids by contacting Brian Perelmuter, DMD, P.C. in Naugatuck, CT. For more than 20 years, Dr. Perelmuter and his team have offered high-quality and compassionate same-day emergency care to infants and children, so they’ll be well on their way to recovery after one visit. Serving patients of all ages, he also offers night guards, root canals, and dental crowns. Learn more details about his services by calling (203) 729-3323 or exploring his website.