BABY BOTTLE CARIES
IT BED TIME FOR YOUR CHILD? SAY NO TO BOTTLES
Each and every child is incomplete without a smile. And a smile with healthy teeth is like cherry on the top. But many people do not realize the importance of baby teeth in long term dental health.
Baby bottle caries, also known as Nursing bottle caries or Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is basically decay of young child’s tooth enamel due to excessive exposure to sugary liquids. The bacterias which are present naturally in oral cavity break down these sugars and produces acid which attacks teeth. Tooth decay can be caused if the baby is left with bottle for feeding or pacifiers during their sleep time. Mostly, nursing bottle caries affects anteriors (incisors and canines) but can cause damage to any of the teeth in oral cavity.
HOW DOES BABY GET INFECTED?
Most commonly caries occur due to frequent and prolonged use of drinks during bed time that contain sugar. Tooth decay can also be caused if the bacterias are passed from the mother to the child. Mode of transmission is saliva. If the mother puts baby’s feeding spoon or pacifier for cleaning it in her mouth, bacterias can easily pass to the baby. If a child does not receive sufficient amount of fluoride, they may be at risk of developing tooth decay.
TYPES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES
TYPE 1: Mild to Moderate
Seen in 2-5 years of age. In most of cases, involvement of incisors and molars is seen.
TYPE 2 : Moderate to Severe
Seen soon after the first tooth erupts. It is a lesion that affects labiolingual surface of incisors with or without involving molars.
TYPE 3 : Severe
Seen in 3-5 years of age. It is a lesion which involves all the teeth including mandibular incisors.
HOW TO PREVENT EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES?
After each feeding, wipe baby’s gums with clean gauze pad or wet cloth.
Do not fill bottles with sugary liquids or soft drinks. They are for milk and water purposes.
Do not allow child to fall asleep with bottle containing anything except water in their mouth.
It is necessary to make sure that child gets enough amount of fluoride which helps in reducing the risk of caries.
If the regular water contains less amount of fluoride, it is mandatory to ask your dentist whether to start any additional supplement.
Do not give your child pacifier which is dipped in any sweet component like honey.
Do not share saliva with your child, by using same feeding spoon or pacifiers.
Compulsory brushing with toothpaste after eruption of teeth in oral cavity.
Best approach for avoiding nursing bottle caries is Awareness and Prevention. After birth of the child, Regular visits with pediatrician or pediatric dentist is beneficiary in order to avoid any kind of abnormality in teeth.
