Caring for and preventing tooth decay for bottle-feeding children

Tooth decay in babies and young children is called bottle-feeding. Baby tooth decay occurs when liquids with a sweet taste and substances containing natural sugars (such as milk, powdered milk, and fruit juices) crept into their teeth. At this time, bacteria in the mouth will thrive from these sweeteners and create acids that attack the teeth. As a result, the teeth will be severely damaged, this phenomenon is the tooth decay at bottle-feeding age.

What are the signs and symptoms of tooth decay in bottle-fed infants?

Unlike adult tooth decay, which are usually only the inner teeth, bottle-feeding infant caries mostly occur in very conspicuous places, such as the incisors. Even so, you probably won't notice this because during the time your baby's teeth are worn away and weakened, tooth damage is almost impossible to see. Once the enamel has been damaged, the decay process will take place very quickly. Therefore, you should regularly check your child's teeth.

There may be other manifestations and signs that were not mentioned. If you have any questions about your symptoms, consult your doctor or dentist.

What should you do if your baby has tooth decay?

Practicing good oral hygiene can help prevent tooth decay in bottle-fed babies. In addition, there are the following extremely effective simple steps that you should try:

Wipe baby's gums with a clean gauze pad or towel after each feed or drink;

Start brushing your baby's teeth, without using toothpaste, when your baby's first baby tooth comes out;

Clean and massage the gum area that is not yet teething;

Floss between teeth once all teeth have come out;

Make sure your child is getting enough fluoride to help reduce tooth decay. If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist or doctor how to add fluoride to your baby;

Schedule a routine dental exam when your baby is one year old. Dentists will give your baby a protective layer that can help prevent cavities during this stage.

If your baby regularly drinks soft drinks, you can help her to give up this habit by adding more water for 2-3 weeks, then completely replacing it with water. If your child eats a lot of sweets, you need to regularly remind them to brush their teeth after eating to protect their teeth.

Remember that healthy baby teeth will help your baby to have permanent teeth in the right place and look better in the future.

When should you take your child to the dentist?

As mentioned, you may not be able to notice if your baby is having cavities. That's why it's so important to check and clean as your baby's teeth start to grow and grow. If you notice any abnormalities in your baby's teeth, take him or her to the dentist as soon as possible.

How can you help your child prevent tooth decay?

Here are some ways to help you prevent tooth decay in your baby:

Do not give your child drinks high in sugar such as gelatin or soft drinks;

Offer your child only filtered water at bedtime - don't use any juices, milk or other drinks;

If your baby is in the 6-12 month period, give formula only by bottle;

Do not breastfeed your baby while sleeping;

Do not let your child use juice or milk bottles to suck or suck often. Don't let your baby use a pacifier for a long time and do not immerse it in honey, sugar or sucking syrup;

Teach your baby to drink from a cup (cup) when he is about 6 months old. Practice giving your baby the habit of bottle feeding when he is between 12 and 14 months old;

Limit your baby's juice intake to less than 170 ml per day.

In addition, you can apply the following tips to your child's dental care:

After each feed, gently wipe your child's teeth and gums with a clean towel or gauze to remove plaque;

Start brushing as soon as your baby has teething, especially before going to bed. If your child is around 1-3 years old, put a small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste in a towel and rub it gently over baby's teeth. Make sure your child spits out the entire toothpaste after brushing if you use fluoride cream;

Older children can use a soft nylon bristled toothbrush. It is best to combine the use of a very small amount of toothpaste (no more than the size of a pea);

Start flossing on children when all baby teeth have emerged (usually around 2 and a half years old);

If your child is 6 months of age or older, it is necessary to use fluoridated water or a fluorine supplement. Even if you choose bottled water, choose one that contains fluorine;

Check your child's teeth regularly and check teeth in turn when all the baby teeth have grown or at 2 - 3 years old.