Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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. Ungrateful hosts, these bacteria produce acid as a by-product of their feasting. It is this acid which attacks the tooth enamel and causes cavities.
Many parents put their children to sleep with a bottle. They often find that this helps the baby settle down. This decision is a big mistake, also a bad parenting technique. Is a way to make the child sleep not purposely, but forcing them in a way, at the same time putting their health in jeopardy.
Sugar present in the fluid continually nourishes the bacteria that are in the baby's mouth. Using this constant source of sugar, bacteria multiply and create a steady stream of tooth damaging acid. Night after night of acid attack results in cavity formation and extensive tooth decay.
What can parents do to protect their children's teeth? We suggest that after every bottle feeding you take a wet cloth or gauze pad and gently wipe your child's gums and teeth. This will remove any bacteria containing plaque and excess sugar that may have built up.
Recommended liquid that should be given to baby during bedtime can be controversial for many parents and the way they want to raise their children. 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.
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.
Feeding tips to prevent tooth decay:
DO NOT fill your child's bottle with fluids that are high in sugar, such as punch, gelatin, or soft drinks.
Put your child to bed with a bottle of water only -- not juice, milk, or other drinks.
Give children ages 6 - 12 months only formula to drink in bottles.
Remove the bottle or stop nursing when your child has fallen asleep.
Avoid letting your child walk around using a bottle of juice or milk as a pacifier. Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers and DO NOT dip the pacifier in honey, sugar, or syrup.
Begin teaching your child to drink from a cup at around 6 months of age. Try to stop using a bottle by age 12 - 14 months.
Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals.
http://www.ada.org/3034.aspx
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/baby-bottle-tooth-decay-4354597.html
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