Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is a rapid-spreading, severe decay of teeth in infants and toddlers caused by the sugars in milk and juice, and is the most common form of early dental disease. It usually begins around the first birthday with either chalky white spots or brownish pits on the front teeth and progresses rapidly, developing infection within a year or two. If left untreated, Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can deteriorate teeth so badly that they cannot be restored and have to be extracted. It can also cause severe dental infections (abscesses) that can spread to other parts of the body and cause high fever, swelling, and severe pain. If you are concerned, please make an appointment with Peninsula Pediatric Dentistry.

The Skinny on Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• It is caused, most often, by putting infants to bed with milk or juice in a bottle (or in toddlers, by letting them carry around a sippy cups of milk or juice, rather than water).
• Other causes are giving milk or juice AFTER brushing. Brush just before your child goes to bed and avoid giving anything other than water after you brush.
• Some parents give their children pacifiers dipped in honey or another sugary liquid – this causes severe decay.

Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with milk or juice
• Never dip your child’s pacifier in honey – it causes germs to grow
• Do Not allow your toddler to “liquid-graze” – or walk around with a sippy cup filled with juice or milk all day
• Only give juice or milk with meals. If your child is thirsty, give him or her water
• Do Not give your child milk or juice after brushing at night. If you do, you should brush again
• Do Not give infants or toddlers soda, tea or coffee. Baby teeth are much softer than adult teeth
• Do brush your child’s teeth every morning after breakfast and every night just before he or she goes to bed.
• Do floss, every night, especially if any teeth are touching
• Do encourage your toddler to drink water throughout the day – it is healthier and better for your teeth than high-sugar juices, sodas and tea
• Do water down juices
• Do stop bottle feeding by the first birthday
• Do encourage your child to use a regular cup instead of a sippy cup

Give Up the Nighttime Bottle

• Replace it with water (even if you have to do this gradually – replacing milk with water)
• Try rocking
• Try a clean pacifier
• Or explain that you are replacing the bottle with a special toy, just for the occasion

The pediatric dentists at Peninsula Pediatric Dentistry understand how difficult it is to force a child to transition from night-time feedings or to teach your baby to self soothe. But, the long-lasting effects of tooth decay and disease are not worth the risk of a couple of weeks of restless nights. The sugars and acids in milk or juice eat away at the teeth and cause severe cavities. Between Peninsula Pediatric Dentistry’s three offices, there are five pediatric dentists: Dr. Bobby Garofalis,  Dr. Tammara Bell, Dr. Steve Bullock, Dr. Kari Cwiak, and Dr. Richard Pugliese. Visit Peninsula Pediatric Dentistry’s website or call their offices, below:

• Newport News 757-240-5711
• Williamsburg 757-259-9703
• Hampton 757-838-0800

Don’t wait if you notice ANY signs of decay!