Dental Disease: Protecting Your Child

Sometimes called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay,
Early Childhood Caries is a serious disease
that can destroy your child's teeth —
but it can be prevented.

Just like adult teeth, baby teeth can decay from the time they appear in the mouth. In fact, teeth decay more readily when they first come into the mouth. If infants are allowed to suckle for prolonged or frequent periods of time during the day or night (longer than needed for nutritional purposes) their teeth may be more at risk of developing decay. Any sweet fluids in baby bottles, other than water, can cause early tooth decay.

Sweet fluids include flavoured milk, baby formula, juices, cordials and soft drinks. The problem is made worse in infants and toddlers who suckle during sleep times because only a small amount of saliva is produced in the mouth while sleeping. Good saliva flow is important to protect teeth from decay. Early tooth decay can also result from frequent use of a dummy or pacifier that has been dipped into a sweetener such as honey.

Your child can fall asleep without a bottle! Here are five tips to try:

• Let your child take a “security” blanket, teddy bear, doll, or favourite toy to bed.
• Quietly sing or play restful music.
• Hold or rock your child.
• Give your child a back rub to help him or her to relax.
• If your child must have a bottle to go to sleep, fill it with water.

• Severe Pain
• Possible General Anaesthetic’s to have teeth removed.
• Tooth loss
• Speech problems
• Crooked permanent teeth
• Poor self image

1. Get into the habit of putting your baby to bed without a bottle.
2. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with formula, milk, juice, sugar water or soft drink. If your baby must have a bottle to go to sleep, fill it with water.
3. Do not let your infant walk around with a bottle or have prolonged non-nutritional feeding.
4. Clean your infant’s gums and teeth after every feeding with a small, damp soft cloth or a gauze pad. For older infants use a toothbrush with soft bristles to brush their teeth.
5. Start teaching your infant to use a cup as early as nine months. Trade your baby’s bottle for a training cup by age
6. Check with your dental professional to make sure your child is getting enough fluoride each day.