4 Ways to Avoid Bottle Rot




Baby bottle tooth decay can be a scary and painful problem for a child. It is caused when milk or sugary substances stay on your child’s teeth and is not rinsed away after feeding. The milk turns into bacteria that begin to eat away at the enamel. This then creates cavities and decay.  Don’t PANIC. These four easy tips can help your child avoid getting bottle rot.

1.     Always rinse the mouth or wipe the mouth after the bottle or breastfeeding
                  a. After your baby has eaten is when they are most susceptible to this problem. If they do not actually have any teeth, you’ll still want to gently wipe their gums with gauze or a soft cloth.

2.     See your dentist after the first tooth erupts
                  a. The first visit to the dentist is important. “It helps set up your child’s future dental health for success,” says Pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller. This will also help to ensure if there are any problems developing that you can take care of them before the decay spreads to other teeth.

3.     Brush their teeth after meals
                  a. Just like adult teeth, says Dr. Fuller, "baby teeth can have food that sticks to them. In order to remove the food from their gums and teeth, you have to brush them."http://www.pediatricdentistryofredlands.com/our_team.html Early brushing will create a healthy habit early on for your child.

4.     Choose dental friendly snack for between meals
                  a. Fruits and vegetables or other foods high in water concentration help to wash away food from sticking to the teeth. If you ensure your child is eating healthy snacks, it can help support your child’s overall dental health. 

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