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Dr. Cynthia Pelley
Call us today at (503) 235-0313

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Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
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8708 SE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 235-0313
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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Posted on 11/13/2015 by Cynthia Pelley
A young baby girl suffering from baby bottle tooth decay!Many parents are under the incorrect impression that the baby teeth don't really matter. After all, they're just going to fall out anyways, so why bother taking care of them? Even though they are only temporary, the baby teeth are extremely important and are susceptible to cavities. Early cavities are often known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, and they can affect both infants and toddlers.

Understanding Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay commonly affects the top front teeth, and the most common cause is prolonged and frequent exposure of the teeth to drinks with sugar. In many cases, when a child is consistently put to bed with a bottle of milk, tooth decay may result. Likewise, when a bottle is used to pacify a fussy baby, the teeth may be exposed needlessly to extra sugar that can cause decay.

In other cases, children that do not get adequate fluoride could also experience decay, or sharing spoons between mouths can pass decay-causing bacteria. Fortunately, tooth decay is entirely preventable, even for the youngest of dental patients.

Tips for Parents
There are several things that you can do in order to prevent your baby from developing tooth decay:

•  Start brushing your child's teeth as they come in using a baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
•  Avoid sharing saliva with your child via shared spoons or licking his pacifier.
•  Supervise your child's brushing habits until he can properly spit out toothpaste, usually at around eight years of age.
•  Ensure that your child's pacifier is always clean.
•  Encourage good eating habits and your child to start drinking from a cup before he turns one year old.

When your child's teeth begin to emerge, it is important to have a discussion with your dentist or pediatrician about preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Remember that starting early will be essential to establish a life of good oral health.

Please contact us if you have any questions about baby bottle tooth decay.

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Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry - Cynthia Pelley | portlandslittlesmiles.com | (503) 235-0313
8708 SE 17th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202