Soothing a fussy or tired baby by popping a bottle in their mouth and letting them drink themselves into slumber is common.
But did you know frequent, prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to sugary beverages can lead to tooth decay at an early age?
Dr. Jeannie Beauchamp, a pediatric dentist and owner of Clarksville Pediatric Dentistry, wants parents to know the importance of early dental intervention and keeping a baby’s teeth healthy.
Tooth decay in babies and toddlers is called “early childhood caries” or baby bottle tooth decay. This occurs from frequent nighttime bottle feeding, breast feeding on demand or using a bottle as a pacifier when babies are fussy. Bottle feeding with juice, repeated use of sippy cup, and frequent in-between-meal consumption of sugar-added snacks or drinks contributes to early childhood caries, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Beauchamp, who is president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, offers treatment options for tooth decay. The condition often affects the upper front teeth but can affect several other teeth, too.
Signs of bottle tooth decay
One of the early signs of baby bottle tooth decay is white spots on the teeth indicative of damaged enamel. Early intervention of fluoride treatments may be successful.
If tooth decay is advanced, symptoms may include:
- Brown or black spots on the teeth
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Fever, irritability, and swelling that may indicate infection
- Bad breath
A young child with any of these symptoms needs immediate dental intervention. Decay that is left untreated can spread and lead to extensive restoration treatment and even tooth loss.
Many parents may believe the common misconception that baby teeth aren’t a big deal since they will fall out and permanent adult teeth will grow in. Yet there are many reasons to be concerned about premature decay and loss of baby teeth. The baby teeth hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the other teeth may drift into the empty space, blocking out the permanent tooth. Children need strong, healthy teeth, and it is part of their overall wellness as they learn to eat, speak and chew. It’s so important that parents ensure their infants have good oral care as soon as their first tooth appears.
Treatment options
Treatment for baby bottle tooth decay varies depending on the level of severity but can include fillings, crowns and even tooth extraction if there’s severe decay or infection.
If you are noticing signs of early childhood caries, go see Clarksville Pediatric Dentistry right away. Dr. Beauchamp said, “We can work together to determine the best treatment options and get your baby’s smile on track for healthy growth and development.”
Clarksville Pediatric Dentistry is committed to discussing all options before any treatment. Always working for the goal of a healthy smile is their first priority.
To decrease the risk of developing early childhood caries, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages:
- Avoiding frequent consumption of liquids and solid foods containing sugar.
- Avoiding (on demand) breastfeeding after teeth begin to erupt.
- Toothbrushing by the parent twice daily with a soft toothbrush.
- Rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste under age 3.
- Pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste ages 3-6.
- Establishing a dental home, no later than 12 months of age.
To schedule an appointment with Clarksville Pediatric Dentistry, visit their website or call their 2297 Rudolphtown Road location at 931-245-3333, or their location at 2485 Fort Campbell Blvd., Suite 102, at 931-245-6060.
Check out out their Facebook page for up-to-date information and inquiries about their services.
