Bottle feeding may seem like the perfect way to get your infant to sleep. But Mayo Clinic prosthodontist Alan Carr cautions that letting your child sleep with a bottle can ultimately cause gum infection, inflammation, pain and premature baby tooth loss--a condition called baby bottle tooth decay. You can help keep your child's gums healthy by implementing good oral hygiene practices soon after she's born.
Identification
Inflamed gums, crankiness and excessive drooling are common signs that your baby is teething. An infant's first tooth typically pokes through at about 6 months, after which the baby is at risk for baby bottle tooth decay if the teeth are exposed to anything but breast milk, states the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Causes
Inflamed gums and decayed teeth--usually the top central incisors--may result when you give your child a bottle or sippy cup filled with formula, juice, milk or another liquid that contains sugar, Carr explains. Bacteria-forming plaque forms in your infant's mouth, and the acids produced by these bacteria eat away at the teeth. Although baby bottle tooth decay is usually associated with sending your infant to bed with a bottle containing sugary beverages, prolonged bottle feedings, as well as sugar-filled treats, are also contributing factors.
Prevention
It's never too soon to tend to the health of your baby's gums, says the AAPD, which advises starting as soon as your child is born. After each feeding, wipe your baby's gum with a piece of damp, clean gauze or use a cloth and water. You can also use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush.
When baby teeth erupt, the AAPD advises brushing twice a day with a soft brush, using only a trace amount of toothpaste for infants and toddlers younger than 2. Use a little more toothpaste for children between ages 2 to 5--a pea-size portion--and assist in the brushing process. The AAPD points out that children this age can't brush their teeth well independently.
Considerations
To avoid baby bottle tooth decay and its many complications, don't let your child go to sleep with a bottle of anything but water. Give your infant a clean pacifier--don't dip it in sugar or honey. Avoid giving your child juice from a bottle. Supply it only in a cup along with meals or snacks, advises the AAPD.
After the baby teeth emerge and your infant is receiving other sources of nutrition, avoid "at-will" breastfeeding. By the time your infant is 14 months old, she should be fully weaned, the AAPD says.
Time Frame
Nipping oral health problems in the bud is key to a healthy smile. The American Dental Association advises taking your baby for her first dental check-up within six months after the first tooth appears or by age 1, whichever date occurs first. Schedule regular dental visits thereafter.
