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Comprehensive General Dental Care for the Adult and Child, Including: Preventive, Restorative (Including Cosmetic Restorations), Prosthetic (fixed, removable, and implants), Endodontic (root canals) and Periodontal Care. |
Protect Your Baby’s Precious SmileMilk, Formula, Fruit Juice… … nourishing liquids for your baby, but each contains sugar and can cause decay in your infant’s teeth. Doctors call this condition Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. Of course, it’s important that your baby have these liquids, but it’s WHEN you give your baby these foods that can make a difference in the health of your child’s teeth .To Bed Without A Bottle…With some Babies, it’s Easier Said Than Done Establish a regular routine at each nap and bedtime. Offer your child a security blanket, suitable stuffed animal or pacifier (not dipped in anything sweet). Sing or play music. Hold or rock your baby to sleep. Rub or pat your child’s head and back. Read or tell a story. Use an infant swing to rock your baby to sleep. What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? • When germs that normally live in the mouth are exposed to sugar, they make an acid that eats away the enamel of the teeth, causing decay. • Frequent, prolonged exposure of a child’s teeth to milk, formula, fruit juice or any other sweetened liquids. • Giving a baby a pacifier dipped in honey or syrup. • Be vigilant about foods served. Limit sugar-laden foods and drinks. Why is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Bad for Children? • It can cause painful toothaches. • It can result in feeding and nutritional problems. • In some cases, it may lead to middle ear infections. • It can destroy baby teeth that are critical to speech and the development and alignment of the permanent teeth. Your infant is relying on you to establish healthy dental care routines. Schedule a dental visit by his or her first birthday. Be vigilant about foods served-limit sugar-laden foods and drinks. How Can Baby Bottle Tooth Decay be Prevented? • Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with milk, formula or fruit juice.* • If you must use a bottle at nap or bedtime, fill it only with water. • Don’t offer your baby a pacifier dipped in anything sweet. • Wean your baby from the bottle sooner than later. Start to offer a cup at 6 months of age and wean your child from the bottle by about 1 year of age. • Don’t let your child walk around with a bottle. Always hold your baby when bottle feeding and remove the bottle when the baby falls asleep. • After regular feedings and snack times, wipe your child’s teeth and gums with a damp washcloth. You can begin brushing your baby’s teeth with a small toothbrush as soon as the first tooth appears. * Mothers who are breast feeding are reminded that a baby is also at risk for decay when the baby nurses continuously during naps or at night.
Caring For the Perfect Smile in All of Us A message from members of the New York State Dental Association 121 State Street, Albany, New York 12207 (518) 465-0044 |