Milk teeth are important. Take good care of your toddler’s baby teeth. They do eventually fall out but until they do, baby teeth play an important role in helping your child bite and chew food, and speak clearly. Inadequate dental care and not brushing your child’s teeth enough can be lead to tooth decay. This happens when bacteria within the mouth begin to eat away at the primary teeth. Tooth decay is also known as a cavity or dental caries.
Causes of Tooth Decay
- A common cause of toddler tooth decay is going to bed with a bottle. The milk or juice from the bottle can sit in your tot’s mouth all night and create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
- Same goes with prolonged breastfeeding i.e breastfeeding at nighttime while sleeping after 2 years of age.
- Unhealthy eating habits contribute to tooth decay, too. Allowing your child to suck on candy for prolonged periods or to eat a lot of sugary foods will play a role.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Babies
Tooth decay might first appear as white spots at the gum line on the upper front teeth. These spots are hard to see at first—even for a child’s doctor or dentist—without proper equipment. A child with tooth decay needs to be examined and treated early to stop the decay from spreading and to prevent further damage.
Some tips to prevent Tooth Decay in Toddlers
- To prevent tooth decay in toddlers, you shouldn’t let your child go to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup of milk or juice.
- If you give your child a drink before bed or to help him go to sleep, always choose water.
- Make sure you brush and floss your child’s teeth daily both in morning and at night
- Make sure to avoid sugary foods. And foods that are high in acid, such as citrus fruits, as they will weaken the enamel and make your child more susceptible to cavities.
- Your child should see the dentist for the first time before his first birthday