Dental care should start as early as one year old, when the first couple of teeth show up. According to professionals, it is important to develop a strong foundation at the onset of the baby’s first new teeth. Starting them early not only teaches the babies to be comfortable around dentists, it also educates the parents on proper dental hygiene.
Poor dental hygiene can result to tooth decay, which is also referred to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. How can you prevent this from happening? Read on below.
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
This condition happens when the sugar components of the baby food latches on to the teeth for an extended period of time. Mixed in with the bacteria present in the mouth, this eats up the still thin enamel of the baby tooth and results in decay. This more commonly happens on the upper teeth.
Aside from prolonged bottle use, the most common causes of this condition includes: unhealthy diet, poor dental hygiene and insufficient fluoride.
Effective Tips to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Fortunately, it is not that hard to protect your baby from getting this dental problem. Unless the baby has a major health problem that’s causing abnormal tooth decay, all you really need to do is make sure dental hygiene is strictly practiced.
Follow the tips below:
- Choose a soft toothbrush and an ADA-approved toothpaste for kids.
- Make sure to brush teeth gently and massage the gums too.
- Do not encourage adults in the home to share spoons with your baby. This can promote bacteria sharing and can make your baby catch a disease.
- Feed healthy diet and eliminate high-sugar foods and drinks.
- Train your baby to use a sippy cup or drinking cup to get him/her away from the bottle.
- Avoid using the pacifier as a means of relaxation, as this also encourages suckling.
- Teach toddlers the proper brushing method and always supervise until they are old enough to brush on their own.
Regular Dental Visits
Aside from the simple steps listed above, it is also important to take your baby to regular dental checkups. Even if there’s no dental treatment that needs to be done, just the act of going to the clinic can help your child become more comfortable of the new environment.
It is essential to choose a dentist who you trust and feel comfortable to handle your baby. This will be the foundation of your child’s knowledge about dental health, so it is ideal to make this first experiences as positive as you can.
