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Your baby's oral health
Dear Anai,
Can feeding my baby a bottle cause any damage later to her teeth?
Thank you,
Sabrina
Dear Sabrina,
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by exposing the teeth to liquids containing
sugars frequently, and for long periods of time. Among these liquids are milk,
formula, juices, punches, soft drinks, gelatin or other sweetened liquids. The
plaque bacteria on the teeth uses these sugars as an energy source to form acids
which attack tooth enamel.
- Never put your child to bed with a bottle.
- Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers.
- After each feeding, wipe the child's teeth and gums with a clean washcloth
or gauze to remove plaque.
- Begin flossing teeth of children when all of
the primary (baby) teeth have erupted.
- Between feedings if your child
needs a comforter, give a bottle of clear, cool water.
- Do not fill your
child's bottle with fluids that are primarily sugar such as punch, gelatin, and
soft drinks.
- Make sure your child gets fluoride in some form. If you do
not have fluoridated water, then talk to your doctor to get fluoride drops or
tablets. (Note: Fluoride may cause cancer, so keep the dose minimal).
- Inspect your child's teeth regularly and begin dental visits when teeth begin
erupting.
Tooth decay has also occurred with infants that are on the breast for
prolonged periods of time (which can occur, for example, if the mother falls
asleep while the baby is nursing).
Thank you for writing,
Anai Rhoads
© Copyright 2004 Anai Rhoads.
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