Although most babies don’t get their first teeth until around 6 months, it’s important to care for your baby’s mouth and teeth from the very beginning. Did you know that tooth decay is the most common long-term childhood disease? Tooth decay and jaw misalignment in babies and toddlers can be brought on by many factors, but some of the most common culprits are baby bottles, thumb-sucking and pacifiers. While one in three children screened by Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County suffers from untreated dental decay, the good news is that as a parent you have the tools to help prevent these issues.
Baby bottle tooth decay
Also called severe early childhood caries, baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in a baby’s upper front teeth and is caused when acids in foods and drinks containing sugar, including fruit juices, cause the tooth enamel to break down. Even watered-down drinks can damage teeth. In order to avoid baby bottle tooth decay, make sure that babies finish their bedtime or naptime bottle before going to bed. Also, refrain from putting your baby to bed with a bottle that contains milk, formula, fruit juices or any liquids with sugar.
Pacifiers
Sucking is a natural reflex for babies, and during a child’s first few years, it probably won’t cause significant issues. However, frequent and prolonged pacifier use can cause problems, especially if it continues after baby teeth start to fall out. Long-term pacifier use can cause jaw and tooth misalignment. If you do choose to use a pacifier, never dip the pacifier in honey or sugar water to calm a fussy child. When you’re ready to break the habit, use positive reinforcement to break your child’s dependence. You may also find that progressively taking the pacifier away from your child will help him or her break the habit.
Thumb-sucking
While this can be a comfort to some children, it can become a major dental health problem if it continues for a long period. After a baby’s permanent teeth come in, thumb-sucking can cause problems with the proper growth of her mouth and alignment of her teeth. Children usually stop sucking their thumbs between the ages of 2 and 4, or by the time their permanent front teeth start to come in. If you notice that your child has not stopped sucking his or her thumb by this age, contact your child’s dentist for recommendations. Sometimes, a bitter medication that coats the thumb or mouth appliance may help stop thumb-sucking.
Remember, thumb-sucking, pacifiers and allowing a child to fall asleep with their bottle may soothe the child in the moment, but these habits can lead to dental health problems later in life. Knowing the risks that these behaviors pose and how to stop them can help prevent tooth decay and ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Richard Spaulding is a pediatric dentist and the interim dental director of Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County
