WHAT IS NURSING OR BABY BOTTLE CARIES?

Nursing or baby bottle caries (presently called early childhood caries) are one of the most serious type of dental decay a child can have. This condition is caused by early, frequent and long exposure of an infant or child’s teeth to sugar containing liquids. These liquids include cow’s milk, breast milk, formula, fruit juice, pop or other sweetened drinks. Placing a baby to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water may expose the child to early childhood caries. As the child falls asleep, s/he does not swallow the last sip of the fluid and the tongue pushes the fluid forward to the upper front teeth where the bacteria in the mouth cause the production of acid. The acid begins to dissolve the enamel on the teeth and cavities may develop quickly. Early childhood caries generally affects the upper front teeth first, quickly progress to the upper posterior teeth and then attacks the lower posterior teeth. If left untreated, early childhood caries can cause the premature loss of teeth as well as the need for extensive dental treatment to restore the damaged teeth. Prolonged use of a sippy cup can also cause early childhood caries due to the present of the sweetened liquid in the mouth for extended periods of time.

To prevent early childhood caries, after each feeding wipe your child’s teeth and gums with a damp washcloth or use a toothbrush to remove the fluid and bacteria that is present. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as s/he approach his or her first birthday. Children with teeth should not fall asleep with a bottle, sippy cup or when breast-feeding. At-will feeding should be avoided once the first primary tooth has erupted. Juices, milk and other liquids should be taken from a cup.

WHEN SHOULD BOTTLE-FEEDING BE STOPPED?

Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age. If you go from using a bottle to using a sippy cup, the sippy cup should only contain water, no juices.

HOW LONG CAN MY CHILD USE A PACIFIER?

Whether to use a pacifier is a personal choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) convened a Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As a result of the work of the task force the AAP issued a Policy Statement in 2005 that gives guidance on the proper use of the pacifier. The policy states:

“Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime: Although the mechanism is not known, the reduced risk of SIDS associated with pacifier use during sleep is compelling . . . The task force recommends use of a pacifier throughout the first year of life according to the following procedures:

• The pacifier should be used when placing the infant down for sleep and not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep. If the infant refuses the pacifier, he or she should not be force to take it.

• Pacifiers should not be coated in any sweet solution.

• Pacifiers should be cleaned often and replaced regularly.

• For breastfed infants, delay pacifier introduction until 1 month of age to ensure that breastfeeding is firmly established.”

American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy Statement, Pediatrics 2005:116-1245-1255.

Allowing your child to use the pacifier until the age of 1 should present no problem and should reduce the incidence of SIDS. Continued use of the pacifier after age 3 may contribute to orthodontic and orthopedic changes of the mouth.

IS THUMB SUCKING A CONCERN?

Sucking is a natural reflex and comforts the young child. Children may suck on various objects including their fingers, thumbs, pacifiers or washcloths. The sucking habit may be considered normal during the first 2 years of life but should stop by the time the child is 4. Whether thumb or object sucking is problematic depends on the duration of the habit and the force used during the habit. Children who suck for extended periods of time as well as those who suck forcefully are more likely to develop dental problems. Children who continue to suck as the permanent teeth erupt may experience a collapse in the maxillary arch and flaring of the erupting permanent front teeth. Pacifiers, sippy cups and washcloths can cause the same problems as thumbs or fingers.

Until your child is about 2-3 years old you should make no or little reference to the fact that they suck. Telling your child that only babies suck their fingers negatively reinforces the habit and may make breaking the habit much more difficult. Most children stop sucking by themselves or stop when they go to preschool or kindergarten where peer pressure is involved. If you want you child to stop sucking and they also want to stop there are positive methods to use to get your child to stop. Please discuss these with your pediatric dentist.

There are several books that may be helpful in understanding and stopping thumbsucking.

They include:

David Decides About Thumbsucking – A Story for Children, A Guide for Parents by Susan Heitler, Ph.D.
Harold’s Hideaway Thumb by Harriet Sonnenschein

 

 

 

 

 

Sew a Lost Tooth Pillow

 

 

Print and Color "First Lost Tooth" Certificate

 

 

Print and Color
"Another Lost Tooth" Certificate