Just like an adult’s teeth need regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent tooth decay, baby teeth require the same care too. If they are lost too soon, it can become your nightmare as what will be left might not let adult teeth come in, and it can result in life-threatening infections.
Tooth decay is the most infectious disease of childhood. It is also known as nursing caries or baby bottle tooth decay. Maintaining good oral health should be a regular practice as tooth decay can occur as soon as the first tooth comes.
What Causes Tooth Decay In Babies
When acid-producing bacteria infect your baby’s mouth, it leads to tooth decay. It can be transferred from parents or caretakers in the baby through saliva, such as sharing the same cup or spoon that you used with your little one.
Development of tooth decay can also occur if the gums are exposed to any food or liquid, other than water for extended periods. Bacteria in the mouth changes added or natural sugar in the food into acid in no time. This acid damages the teeth and causes tooth decay.
This can usually happen when babies are put to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or any liquid other than water, in their mouth. Babies should drink milk only with meals and not through out the day, or at their nap times.
Breastfeeding is a safe way to feed your babies milk and avoid tooth decay, but moms should take care of their hygiene and their baby’s oral health too.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Babies
If you see white spots on the gum line of your baby’s teeth, there are chances that tooth decay is developing. These spots might not be visible in the beginning, but as soon as you start to notice such signs, you should immediately visit a dentist so that your baby’s teeth can be saved from decay.
Prevention of Tooth Decay in Babies
Your should take care of your oral health before your baby is born and after its birth too. A visit to your dentist can help while you are pregnant.
No matter if you breastfeed or bottle-feed, your baby’s teeth require extra attention, and so from borth to until your baby is one year old, you should clean his mouth with a clean washcloth. When teeth start to appear, use a soft bristle brush to clean your baby’s teeth. Applying a little amount of toothpaste can be okay too.
Never let your baby sleep with a bottle of milk. It can not only create mouth infection but can also cause choking.
Sweet and sticky foods like candies, gummies, or cookies can be bad for your baby’s oral health. These should be only given to the baby at the time of their meal.
Juices should also be paired up with food. It is not good to feed juices to your baby before he’s one year old. Even after one year, only four ounces of juice should be provided.