Did you know that even babies could experience tooth decay, better known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD)? Unfortunately, this problem is the result of babies sucking bottles filled with beverages such as fruit juice, soda, Kool-Aid, and even milk. Although a baby needs milk, you would not want your child to go to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth, a common practice. In fact, allowing a baby to breastfeed while sleeping can also be a problem.
BBTD is from added and even natural sugar. When in a baby’s bottle, the sugar converts to acid due to mouth germs, which then starts a slow process of literally dissolving teeth. Typically, you would notice a child’s front top teeth being affected more simply because of the way we drink. What many parents do not realize is that BBTD also affects baby teeth that can then lead into serious damage once permanent teeth start coming in.
The good news about BBTD is that it can be prevented. For starters, never allow your child to get into the habit of going to bed with a bottle. Instead, use a pacifier if necessary and remember that once a baby reaches eight to nine months, in the middle of the night feedings are usually not required. Another interesting fact about putting a baby to bed with a bottle is that this increases the risk of ear infections due to the constant sucking.
Another common mistake, especially with new parents who are trying to calm or appease a baby is to hand him or her, a bottle. From birth, teach your baby that bottles are for mealtime only. Again, if your child needs something to suck on, use a pacifier or teether. As mentioned briefly, you also want to start good oral hygiene from the start. Finger brushes or clothes are now on the market, which fit over your finger and then rubbed on a baby’s gums. This rids the mouth of most sugar, thus preventing tooth decay.
Finally, make the transition from bottle to cup a big celebration. I remember when my daughter needed to get off the bottle and into a sipper cup. We will just say that she was not too happy. Therefore, we decorated a 50-gallon drum we had outside, blew up balloons, and purchased her a bright yellow cup with a big smiley face. The “ceremony” involved her putting the bottle into the drum while everyone clapped and cheered at which time she was presented with her new cup. From that day forward, she wanted nothing to do with the bottle.