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| Baby
Bottle Tooth Decay or Baby Bottle Syndrome is the rapid decay of
baby teeth in an infant or child from frequent exposure, for long
periods of time, to liquids containing sugars. The upper front teeth
are most commonly affected. |
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problem is usually caused by a baby falling asleep while nursing
a bottle or while breast feeding. While the child is asleep, the
sugary liquid pools around the front teeth. The bacteria living
in every baby’s mouth then turns the sugars to acid which
causes decay. |
Common sources of liquids high in sugars are:
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# A bottle containing formula, milk, soda, or juice
# A pacifier dipped in honey
# Breast milk. |
| Before
discussing nursing bottle cavities, it is helpful first to understand
how cavities are formed. Cavities are caused by acid attack on a
susceptible tooth. The acids are formed due to the interaction of
plaque (bacteria) and fermentable carbohydrates (sugar, for example).
The decay process can be represented in the following formula: .
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Prevention of decay therefore includes:
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Making a susceptible tooth less susceptible (example: use of fluorides
and pit and fissure sealants),
# Decreasing the bacterial count on the teeth (example: brushing
and flossing,
# Limiting the amount and frequency of fermentable carbohydrates
(example: reducing sugary between meal snacks). . |
You can help prevent Baby Bottle Syndrome by:
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Cleaning your child’s teeth daily
# Not allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle filled with
juice, milk, or formula
# Not allowing your child to sip on a bottle filled with juice,
milk, or formula for long periods of time as a pacifier
# Giving your child plain water when he or she is thirsty
# Making sure your child gets the fluoride needed to prevent decay
# Making regular dental appointments for your child beginning when
their first tooth erupts . |
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