Your child's baby teeth play an important role in their development. Even though they are temporary, they help hold space in the mouth for your child's adult teeth, which means that any health issues affecting them will impact your child's future smile. One of the biggest threats to an infant or toddler's dental health—which can begin to affect them even before their first trip to the pediatric dentist—is baby bottle tooth decay.

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay happens when the bacteria in your mouth are allowed to grow and multiply on the teeth. They secrete acid that erodes the enamel, creating pits in the tooth surface that make it even easier for bacteria to cling. Over time, they can wear a hole deep enough to become visible and to start affecting the softer tissue inside the tooth. Since bacteria feed on sugar, this happens most often when sugary snacks and drinks are allowed to sit on the teeth.

Most of the drinks given to babies in bottles are full of sugar. Milk and juice can both be part of a healthy diet, but they're also both sweet and will increase bacterial activity in the mouth. They impact your child's front teeth the most, as they are most often in contact with the bottle. If you give a bottle to your child as a pacifier to calm them or put them to bed with a bottle, they can develop decay.

How Do You Prevent Decay?

To keep your child's teeth healthy, make them an appointment with the dentist as soon as their first teeth come in or when they turn one. Your dentist can offer advice for your child. In the meantime, clean their mouth and gums at least twice daily with a damp, clean rag before their teeth grow in, and use a soft toothbrush and kid-friendly toothpaste. Avoid sharing spoons or other objects that may transfer bacteria from your mouth to theirs. Finally, don't give your child a bottle before bed—only a clean pacifier.

If you need to make a dentist appointment for your child, call Four Corners Dental Group in Wasilla and Anchorage, AK. They provide a full range of dental services for children and adults, including preventative care and cosmetic treatments. They provide compassionate care in a relaxing office environment that’s perfect for patients of all ages. To schedule, call their Anchorage office at (907) 258-3384 or Wasilla at (907) 376-2790. You can also reach out online.