Baby bottle tooth decay is a dangerous dental issue that can destroy your child’s smile if you let it. However, it’s best to just avoid the problem altogether. So, to help you prevent baby bottle tooth decay in your child’s smile, our Thomas Karagianis team recommends doing the following things:
· After your child eats, wipe their gums with a clean and wet washcloth. This will help remove the harmful particles and bacteria that threaten the smile. We also recommend that you do not share saliva with your baby by sharing feeding spoons or by licking the binky.
· Keep up on your child’s oral hygiene by brushing their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Until your child is 3 years old, only use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Between the ages of 3 and 6, you can use a pea-sized amount of paste.
· If your child likes to brush on their own, please be there to supervise. Make sure they properly clean their entire smile and they also refrain from swallowing the paste.
· Please only keep breast milk, milk, and formula in the baby bottle. Try to avoid giving your child sugary drinks, like soda and juice.
· Have your child finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to sleep.
· Please keep from dipping your child’s binky in sugar or honey.
Dr. Thomas Karagianis and our dental team care about your child and their oral health, which is why we recommend doing these things. If you need help or guidance when it comes to preventing baby bottle tooth decay, please remember that you can always call (630) 655-0724 and ask us. We are here to assist you in any way we can!