Baby bottle tooth decay is the term used for dental decay caused by frequent exposure of a child's teeth to sugary fluids. For example, some parents have a habit of keeping their babies quiet and calm by leaving them with feeding bottles for extended periods. If the feeding bottles contain sugary liquids, such as fruit juices and milk, the baby can develop dental decay.

This happens because the sugar in the fluids coats the gums and teeth, feeding the bacteria that is already in the baby's mouth. The bacteria produce acid that erodes the enamel, resulting in dental decay. In extreme cases, untreated decay can lead to series dental infections that may even necessitate tooth extraction.

Therefore, you need to take these measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

• Give the baby plain water or dilute the fluid – If you have been giving your baby sugary fluids, start diluting the drinks until you will be giving them only plain water. The transition will be easier if it is gradual than if it is abrupt.
• Wean the baby from the bottle – It is easier to suck the bottle for longer periods than it is to sip from a cup. Therefore, wean your child from the bottle as soon as they can drink from a cup. Commence the transition around age one.
• Done let the child fall asleep with the bottle – The longer the child drinks the sugary fluids, the more they will be susceptible to dental decay. Therefore, if they must use the bottle, let them only do so when they are actually drinking from it. Letting the child sleep with the bottle exposes them to high risk of decay because they have access to the sugary liquid all night.
• Clean the baby's teeth after each feeding session – Even if the baby doesn't feed for a long time, they may be susceptible to dental decay if the sugars remain in their mouths for a long time. Therefore, use a clean washcloth wrapped around your finger to clean the baby's teeth and gums after each feeding session.

Hopefully, the precautions above will help you prevent bottle-induced dental decay. However, there is no cause for despair if your baby is already showing signs of tooth decay; it can be treated before it reaches the dentin (tooth tissues underneath the outer enamel). Consult a pediatric dentist like Tots to Teens Dental for more information.