Baby bottle tooth decay treatment

There are a number of problems that affect the oral health of children, including tooth decay, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and early tooth loss. Even though baby teeth are eventually replaced with permanent teeth, baby teeth stay healthy is important to a child's overall health and wellbeing. 

Baby bottle tooth decay treatment 

Baby bottle tooth decay (also called early childhood caries, nursing caries, and nursing bottle syndrome) occurs when a baby teeth in frequent contact with sugars from liquid carbohydrates, such as fruit juice, milk, formula, fruit juice diluted with water, sugar water or other sweet drink. Breast milk can cause tooth decay as well. As these liquids break down into simple sugars in the mouth and allowed to sit in the mouth, bacteria start feeding on the sugars, causing tooth decay. If left untreated, decayed teeth can cause pain and make it difficult to chew and eat. Also, baby teeth serve as "space savers" for adult teeth. If baby teeth are damaged or destroyed,
they can�t help guide permanent teeth into their correct position. Possibly in crowded or crooked teeth badly decayed baby teeth could lead to an abscessed tooth, with the possibility of infection spreading elsewhere. 

How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay? 

Some tips for baby bottle tooth decay treatment: 

• During the day, to calm or comfort your baby, do not give a bottle containing sugary liquids or milk filled, instead, give a clear substitute water or a pacifier. 
• Each time, do not immerse your baby's pacifier in sugar, honey, or sugar-containing liquid. 
• Before going to bed do not put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with sugary liquids (diluted fruit juice or milk still increases the risk of caries). 
• Give clear water. Let your baby to nurse continuously throughout the night while sleeping, because human milk may decay. 
• Use a pacifier or give a bottle filled with plain water instead. 
• No sugar to your child's diet use a damp cloth or gauze to wipe your child's teeth and gums after each feeding. 

This helps remove bacteria-forming plaque and excess sugar that have built on the teeth and gums. Ask your dentist about your baby's fluoride needs. If your drinking water is not fluoridated, fluoride supplements or fluoride treatments may be required. Teach your baby drink from a cup by their first birthday. Moving to a "sippy cup" reduces the teeth's exposure to sugar, however, constant sipping from the cup still lead in decay, when it is filled with water.