Preventing Infant Tooth Decay

Decayed teeth in infants can be the result of sucking on that bottle for too long. It is especially bad for tiny teeth if an infant goes to sleep sucking on a bottle of milk. The sugars in the milk are changed into acids by bacteria that occurs naturally in the mouth. These acids eat away at the tooth enamel and quickly cause decay. Treating decay in infants can be very traumatic both for them and their parents.

To find out if your infant has tooth decay, inspect the gum line of the teeth. If you can see a dull white band, that is the first sign of demineralisation - acid action. If there is any yellow, brown or black discolouration, you will know that cavities are present. Tooth decay usually affects the top teeth before the bottom teeth.

You can help prevent decay in your infant's teeth by offering cool, boiled water in the bottle in between feeds rather than sweet drinks or more milk. Take the bottle away when the child has finished. Don't leave it there to be sucked on and off all day. Try the infant with a feeding cup between six and eight months and try to wean from the bottle at one year of age.

When the first teeth appear, clean them by wiping the back and front with a washer wrapped around your finger and introduce a soft brush without toothpaste as early as possible.

Understanding Infant Health

Preventing Infant Tooth Decay

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