Dental House is Opening April 2016 on Dublin’s Aungier Street.
 
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Even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important, and surprisingly, are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Kids need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food and to speak. Their first teeth also help ensure that their adult teeth come in correctly. It is important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth in the future.

Causes

There are many factors which can cause baby bottle tooth decay. One such factor is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. It can also occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a soother.

It is a disease that can also begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from parent to infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the parent puts the baby’s feeding spoon in his or her mouth, or cleans a soother in their mouth, bacteria can be passed to the child.

If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable.

Prevention Methods

  • Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth.
  • When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a grain of rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
  • From the ages of 3 to 6, brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
  • Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
  • Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid juice or soft drinks as they may be high in sugar.
  • Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.
  • If your child uses a soother, always make sure that it is clean—do not dip it in sugar or honey.
  • Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
  • Encourage healthy eating habits.

When your child’s first tooth appears, talk to us about scheduling their first dental appointment. An early start is the key to a lifetime of good dental health.

For more information about protecting your family’s oral health visit us at Dental House today.

Opening April 2016

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