How should I care for my toddler's bottle tooth decay until we can get to a dentist?

(March 11, 2010)

It is not uncommon for toddlers to experience dental problems at an early stage of their lives. One of the most common causes for tooth decay in toddlers is the use of milk bottles that are used for a feed during bed time. Most parents find that putting a bottle of milk in the baby’s mouth will help to pacify him or her, at least for a certain amount of time. Baby bottle tooth decay is a specific form of tooth decay that occurs when the carbohydrates in sweetened milk react with the bacteria present in the mouth of the child.

When a toddler falls asleep, larger amounts of saliva collect in the mouth. The carbohydrates from the sweetened milk come into contact with the bacteria in the saliva and form acids which eat into the enamel of the toddlers teeth, leading to early tooth decay and dental complications. However, unlike regular cavities that form on the rear teeth, baby bottle tooth decay is visible from the formation of cavities on the front portion of the front teeth. Although a child may feel no discomfort at having cavities on the front teeth, it must be remembered that these are the milk teeth, which will stay with him or her for the next six to seven years. This is also the period when a major portion of your child’s personality will form, and it would not benefit him or her to have a decayed set of teeth during this crucial period.

One of the most effective ways of avoiding toddler tooth decay during the early years is by refraining from putting a milk or juice bottle into your toddler’s mouth, in order to get him or her to sleep. Spending quality time with them at bed time is a more beneficial way of getting them to sleep, because it not only prevents tooth decay, but also helps in strengthening the parent – child bond. It is also recommended that your toddler be taken for his or her first appointment with the dentist around the time that the first year of age is completed. Using a soft toothbrush is another effective means of cleaning your toddler’s mouth of food particles that in time will lead to dental complications. Another alternative for this is to wipe your baby’s mouth clean with a soft piece of cloth, so as not to cause any injury to the gums that are sensitive during this phase in life.

Submitted by P T on March 11, 2010 at 11:27