Did you know that your child is prone to tooth decay? Well, it’s true. It’s called baby bottle tooth decay, and it’s a common dental problem found in many children’s smiles. Generally, the cause of this issue is the prolonged exposure to sugary drinks, and it usually causes major oral health issues, like poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth, and damaged adult teeth. So, it’s best to help your child prevent this issue as much as possible. You can do so by doing the following things:
-Wipe your child’s gums with a clean washcloth after they have eaten.
-Begin brushing your child’s teeth when the first one grows into place. As you brush, use a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
-Floss your child’s teeth once they have two teeth grow in next to each other.
-Make sure your child’s smile is receiving enough fluoride.
-Don’t send your child to bed with a bottle full of a sugary drink.
-Don’t dip your child’s binky in sugar or honey before giving it to them.
-Bring your child into our office for their first dental checkup by the time they are 1 year old or six months after their first tooth has erupted.
For more information about prevention techniques for baby bottle tooth decay in Yakima, Washington, please feel free to call 509-248-2973 today and schedule an appointment. Your dentist, Dr. Neal Smith, will be more than happy to help you and your child prevent this dental issue as much as possible!
