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Every year thousands of infants and young children suffer
from extensive tooth decay. What many people don’t realize, says Dr. Steve, is
that the major culprits are milk and other liquids from the baby's bottle.
Bacteria - Your Baby's Enemies
Just like an adult's mouth, a baby's mouth is full of
bacteria. These bacteria feed on sugars found in
the liquids we drink and in the foods we eat. Dr. Steve says
these bacteria produce acid as a by-product of their feasting. And it is this
acid which attacks the tooth enamel and causes cavities.
“It’s normal for many parents put their children to sleep
with a bottle,” says Dr. Steve, “because they find it helps to get the baby
settled down.” The problem is, however, is that
when the babies falls asleep with the baby bottle nipple in
their mouths, the liquid from the bottle to tends to pool around teeth.
That wouldn’t be so bad, Dr. Steve says, unless there is
sugar in the liquid. If there is, the sugar feeds the bacteria already in the
baby's mouth. With this constant source of sugar, bacteria multiply and create a
steady stream of tooth damaging acid. Night after night of acid attack results
in the formation of cavities and extensive tooth decay. In some cases, the
entire tooth can be eaten away by bacterially produced acid.
“It is especially important to guard against baby bottle
tooth decay because baby teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay than adult
teeth,” says Dr. Steve.
Also, constant sugar in the mouth can lead to a build-up of
bacteria to a point where more harmful types of bacteria start becoming
predominant. These bacteria cause gingivitis by attacking the baby’s gum tissue
and releasing toxins. In severe cases, the bacteria and their toxins can attack
bone structures supporting the teeth (periodontal disease) resulting in
permanent damage.
Protecting Your Child
What can parents do to protect their children's teeth? Dr.
Steve says the steps are simple to take. “After every bottle feeding, you take a
wet cloth or gauze pad and gently wipe your child's gums and teeth,” he says.
“This will remove any bacteria containing plaque and excess sugar that may have
built up.”
What liquid should you put in your baby's bedtime bottle?
Natural juices such as grape juice or apple juice contain natural sugars which
bacteria can use to create acids. Milk contains a sugar called lactose which
bacteria can also use to create acid.
If you give you child a
bedtime bottle, the liquid of choice inside of the baby's bottle is water.
Water contains no sugar and can not be used by bacteria to produce acid.
Finally, never give your baby a pacifier dipped in any type
of substance containing large amounts of sugar. Many parents, for example, give
their children pacifiers dipped in honey. This can be very bad for the baby's
teeth.
When you protect your child from baby bottle tooth decay you
ensure that their smile will last a lifetime. |
