In our country, baby bottle tooth decay, which is commonly seen in early childhood, is a condition that occurs due to eating habits and can cause serious problems if not treated in time.
It is observed that brown spots form on the teeth as soon as they erupt or that these teeth break and fall out. In fact, these spots are tooth decay and the teeth break due to decay. Breast milk or cow's milk, which is the most important food in baby nutrition, naturally contains sugar. If the baby sucks breast milk or a bottle before going to bed at night or during sleep, the milk accumulates in the mouth and creates a suitable environment for microbes to decay the teeth.
For this reason, special care should be taken to clean the teeth, especially after night feeding. In addition, carbohydrate-sugar foods given to the baby to keep them occupied after the teeth erupt also cause tooth decay. Instead of such foods, the child should eat foods with high nutritional value such as apples and carrots; It is necessary to direct the baby to foods that help with tooth cleaning.
While baby bottle tooth decay is a type of decay that progresses very quickly, mothers often state that this period occurs in such a short time that it is not noticed. The reason for this rapid progression is that the enamel structure of the teeth is less resistant during this period and inadequate oral care, especially as a result of mothers thinking that it is “too early” to start brushing.
If baby bottle tooth decay is not treated, teeth will cause pain and become inflamed. Inflamed or aching teeth cause the baby to be restless and disrupt their feeding routine. Inflammation also affects the permanent teeth that will come from below and causes them to become deformed. If these teeth have to be extracted, the child may have speech problems.
Symptoms
- It is of a rapidly progressive type,
- Especially starting from the upper incisors, the upper milk molars and lower milk molars are affected,
- Since it is progressive, it can also include the lower incisors over time.
Prevention Methods
Since the treatment of cavities in babies is very difficult, protective measures should be taken early.
- Try to put your baby to sleep after feeding.
- Prevent your baby from sleeping with a bottle in his/her mouth at night.
- Do not add sweeteners such as sugar, honey or molasses to the milk in the bottle.
- Make sure to give your baby water after feeding.
- When the first teeth start to appear, wipe their teeth with a clean, wet muslin after night and morning feedings.
- Stop night feeding after the age of one.
- Take them to the dentist regularly after the first teeth start to appear.
Decay in baby teeth can cause the child to experience pain at a very young age and to develop certain phobias in the future. In addition, these decays can even cause the baby teeth to be lost very early.
