Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD)

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: April 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

Why are baby teeth important?

Baby teeth are important because children need healthy teeth to chew food and to speak.
If your child loses baby teeth to decay, spaces are left in the jaw. The baby teeth may not grow in the right places after this and then adult teeth could also come in wrong.

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

What causes it?

It is caused when sweetened liquids pool around a child's teeth and sit there for a long period of time.
Sugar in the liquid is changed to acid. If the acid sits in the mouth for very long, it can cause decay.
It breaks down the teeth and can lead to other dental problems.

Who can get it?

What are the signs and symptoms?

Red or swollen areas in a child's mouth could be a sign of tooth decay.
Also look for dark spots on your child's teeth.
Children often experience some of these symptoms while teething (growing teeth). Teething is a necessary step in your child's growth. Decay should be avoided.

How is it treated?

If your child has symptoms of tooth decay, take him to the dentist.
Take your child to the doctor or dentist if you have questions or concerns about his teeth.

Can it be prevented?

Yes. It can be prevented.
Do not put your child down for a nap or to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, sugar water, or soft drinks. If you must, use only plain water.
Only give your child a bottle during mealtime. Avoid giving your child sweet liquid many times a day.
Do not let him walk around with a bottle or use it as a pacifier.
Do not dip a pacifier in any sweet liquid.
Teach your child to drink from a cup as soon as possible (usually around 1 year of age). It helps prevent liquid from pooling around the teeth.
Wipe your child's gums with a clean gauze pad after feedings.
As soon as your child has a tooth, brush with a soft infant toothbrush after feedings.
When your child is around 2 years old, you should brush his teeth once or twice a day. Brushing after breakfast and before bed is best. Use toothpaste if your child can be taught not to swallow it.
Start taking your child to the dentist for regular check-ups before he is 1 year old.
Give your child healthy snacks that do not cause decay.

When should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor or dentist if your child has red or swollen gums not caused by teething.
Call the doctor or dentist if your child has dark spots on his teeth.
Call the doctor or dentist if you have questions or concerns about your child's teeth.

Quick Answers

Children need healthy baby teeth to chew food, speak, and to help permanent teeth grow in correctly.
Tooth decay in infants and children is called baby bottle tooth decay.
It is caused when sweetened liquids pool around a child's teeth and sit there for a long period of time.
Any child with teeth can get decay.
Red, swollen areas in a child's mouth or dark spots on the teeth are signs of tooth decay.
If your child has symptoms of tooth decay, take him to the dentist.
To prevent tooth decay, do not put your child down for a nap or to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, sugar water, or soft drinks.
Call the doctor or dentist if you have questions or concerns about your child's teeth.

References

ADA. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. 2002 January 25 (cited 2002 March 12). URL: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/bottle.html
American Academy of Pediatrics. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Medem. 2000 (cited 2002 March 12). URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZKBW52R7C.html&soc=AAP&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
CDC. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and Oral Health in the Child Care Setting. 1997 January (cited 2002 March 12). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/abc/facts02.htm

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/pediatrics/cqqa/bbtd.html