Often, when babies are tired and fussy, they need a little assistance getting comfortable. Naturally, many well-meaning parents reach for what they know will work: a baby bottle. Unfortunately, however, depending on what’s inside, this could do your little one’s growing grin more harm than good, by increasing their risk of developing a dangerous condition called baby bottle tooth decay. Here’s how to help soothe your baby and safeguard their smile from dental danger, too!
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Unlike adults and big kids who swallow beverages as soon as they enter their mouths, babies don’t always do this as quickly, nor do they release the nipple of their bottle immediately, even after they’ve fallen asleep. While this may be soothing to them, it unfortunately can increase their risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease as sugars are trapped inside their mouth for excessive amounts of time.
How Can I Reduce My Child’s Risk of Tooth Decay?
Preventing tooth decay in babies is much easier than you might think. First, it is important to start caring for their gums and emerging teeth as soon as possible. You can begin getting newborns comfortable with oral hygiene by swabbing their gums with a mouth wipe or damp washcloth after each meal.
For regular feeding, there’s no need to alter their diet, however if they are fussy at night, you can begin by giving them a bottle of tap or distilled water to drink as they get relaxed. Never substitute meals for water and follow your pediatrician’s guidelines for how much is safe for them to consume.
It is also important that you only give your baby milk, water, or formula until their pediatrician approves expanding their diet, as sweetened beverages like fruit juice and soda are loaded with sugar and can be extremely harmful to their teeth and gums.
When your baby’s first tooth erupts (or by their first birthday), be sure to take them to see a pediatric dentist every six months. These appointments will help them get more comfortable with having their smile examined, all the while ensuring their grin is growing on track.
Other Tried-and-True Get-to-Sleep Methods
While a bottle of water can certainly help little ones fall asleep faster, if it’s not helping or you’d like to try some other ideas, you can offer your baby a teething ring, pacifier, or even a chilled washcloth to help soothe their gums. Should they wake up overnight requiring milk or formula, be sure to take the bottle away once they are done eating and clean their gums with a damp cloth or wipe.
Remember, while it may seem like a good idea to send your tiny tot to sleep with a bottle of their favorite beverage, the truth is that this can be extremely harmful to their growing grin. Thus, to ensure their teeth grow healthy, strong, and decay-free, be sure to only allow water before sleep, or try a teething device to help soothe their smile without increasing their risk of cavities or other oral health problems.
About Our Practice
At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we can’t wait to meet your little one! Babies as young as one year old, or those who have already debuted their first tooth are welcome to start visiting us for regular preventive checkups and cleanings. These visits will not only get your little one comfortable with oral health care, but they’ll also help monitor their smile’s growth and prevent dangerous dental problems like baby bottle tooth decay. To schedule their checkup and cleaning, visit our website or call us today at 630-778-9500.