{"id":3689,"date":"2021-07-12T15:06:26","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T15:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=3689"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:18:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:18:29","slug":"baby-bottle-tooth-decay-causes-consequences-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/baby-bottle-tooth-decay-causes-consequences-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Causes, Consequences, & Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"
Baby bottle tooth decay as a parent, your baby relies on you to help them develop a healthy, happy smile.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
How you take care of their mouth and teeth when they\u2019re young can have a profound, lasting impact on both their dental health and <\/span>overall health.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the biggest health risks to look out for is baby bottle tooth decay, also known as early childhood caries (ECC).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But what many parents may not know is that decay can start as soon as your little one\u2019s first tooth comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And just because their teeth aren\u2019t permanent doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re any less important. Left untreated, baby bottle tooth decay can cause developmental, Cosmetic Dental Implants<\/a>, and functional issues that can follow your child for many years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In today\u2019s article, we\u2019ll be laying out everything you need to know about this all-too-common condition, and what you can do to ensure your little one grows up with a healthy smile they can be proud of.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This term is typically used as a blanket statement for childhood tooth decay or cavities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tooth decay occurs when sugars interact with the bacteria in your mouth. The result is a harmful acid that can eat away at the outer layers of your teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The name \u201cbaby bottle tooth decay\u201d comes from one of the common causes: when babies are allowed to drink sugary drinks from their bottles too frequently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the most common examples is when parents lay their baby down for bed at night with a bottle full of milk or formula.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They may not realize it, but these drinks contain sugars and can cause tooth decay in baby teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As long as you clean their mouth and gums before laying them down, there\u2019s nothing wrong with feeding your little one before bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But when you leave the bottle in bed with them, they can expose their teeth to <\/span>harmful sugars<\/b><\/a> throughout the night, which break down their enamel and lead to cavities.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s take a look at some of the other leading causes, so you know what you\u2019re up against.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Including the causes mentioned above, here\u2019s a list of factors that can increase your child\u2019s risk of tooth decay:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each of these factors alone is enough to cause dental health issues, but the more that apply, the higher your child\u2019s risk goes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you find yourself in any of these situations, do your best to cut back as soon as possible. We\u2019ll be covering the most effective ways to prevent baby bottle tooth decay later, but for now, it\u2019s time to discuss what can happen if the condition is left unchecked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the <\/span>American Dental Association<\/b><\/a> (ADA):\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChildren need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you can imagine, out-of-control baby bottle tooth decay can disrupt these normal processes and damage your child\u2019s quality of life. A reality that no parent wants for their little one.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s not fun to think about, but it\u2019s essential to learn what can happen in the worst-case scenario to fully understand just how much a baby\u2019s dental health can affect the rest of their life.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What follows is a detailed breakdown of the potential dangers that come with baby bottle tooth decay:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If the decay does enough damage, your child could lose one of their baby teeth prematurely, leaving space in their jaw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This extra room may cause their adult teeth to shift and fill in the empty space, making it difficult for the surrounding teeth to come in properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Usually, this can lead to overcrowding and crooked teeth, which are harder to clean and can leave certain areas more vulnerable to decay.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, tooth decay and cavities often come with <\/span>pain<\/b><\/a> that can make it hard for your little one to chew their food.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If it hurts to bite down, it may discourage them from eating, which can impact their overall health.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to the ADA, baby bottle tooth decay is most common in the upper front teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If a child loses one of their two front teeth, they could have trouble speaking and biting down properly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tooth decay is an infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If the affected teeth don\u2019t get the attention they need, the decay can spread to surrounding areas, creating even more serious dental health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Decayed, unhealthy teeth can also affect your little one\u2019s confidence. If their teeth are brown and discolored, they may be afraid to smile, which is heart-breaking just to think about.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally, the less healthy a child\u2019s baby teeth are, the more likely their adult teeth will be unhealthy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Issues like these are why establishing strong dental care habits as early as possible is so powerful. If you can help them grow a healthy smile when they\u2019re <\/span>young<\/b><\/a>, they have a much better chance of carrying it with them into adulthood.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve covered the potential risks, it\u2019s time to give you all the tools you need to make sure your little one has a decay-free childhood.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adapted from ADA recommendations, the list below is your guide to preventing baby bottle tooth decay:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fostering healthy habits and a positive outlook on dentistry are the best ways to protect your child\u2019s smile…<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And having a family dentist can be a huge help.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Dental Express, we take every opportunity to educate our younger patients in fun, exciting ways that encourage curiosity and healthy dental hygiene.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you bring your child into one of our <\/span>San Diego offices<\/b><\/a>, we\u2019ll make sure their visit is not just positive, but one they\u2019ll enjoy and remember for years to come!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Give us a call or schedule online today to get started. And if you have any questions about the prevention or treatment of baby bottle tooth decay, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dangers of Prolonged Thumb-Sucking & Pacifier Use<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Healthy Oral Habits for Children\u2019s Dental Health Month<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Tooth Fairy 101: How to Get Your Kid Excited About Dental Care<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nWhat is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
What Are the Consequences?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Complications With Adult Teeth<\/span><\/h3>\n
Eating May Be Painful<\/span><\/h3>\n
Problems Speaking & Biting<\/span><\/h3>\n
Tooth Decay Can Spread<\/span><\/h3>\n
Self-Esteem Issues<\/span><\/h3>\n
Childhood Dental Health Influences Adult Dental Health<\/span><\/h3>\n
How Can I Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Building Healthy Smiles That Last a Lifetime<\/span><\/h2>\n
Keep Reading<\/span><\/h2>\n