{"id":7,"date":"2022-10-13T23:00:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T23:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsmilesonlincoln.com\/blog\/?p=7"},"modified":"2022-10-13T23:00:01","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T23:00:01","slug":"an-inside-look-at-baby-bottle-tooth-decay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsmilesonlincoln.com\/blog\/?p=7","title":{"rendered":"An Inside Look at Baby Bottle Tooth Decay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s no secret that cavities are a common oral health concern for both adults and children alike. But did you know that infants can develop tooth decay as well? In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reported that more than 20% of children between the ages of two and five have cavities. Yikes! The good news is that with a solid preventive care<\/a> routine in place, you can help keep your child\u2019s teeth healthy throughout the years. With this in mind, keep reading to learn about what baby bottle tooth decay is and how to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you might have guessed, baby bottle tooth decay is the phenomenon in which infants develop cavities due to their bottles. More specifically, due to being put to bed with a bottle. After all, both breast milk and formula have sugar! If you don\u2019t wipe down your baby\u2019s gums after their done feeding, the sugar can sit on their teeth, increasing their chances of developing decay in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To: Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, the easiest way to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is by not putting your little one to bed with a bottle. If they find it comforting though, this might be easier said than done. In that case, try filling the bottle with water instead of milk. If that doesn\u2019t work, then do your best to use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe down their teeth and gums after they\u2019re done eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Additional Oral Hygiene Best Practices for Infants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a common misconception that baby teeth don\u2019t matter since they eventually fall out. This couldn\u2019t be further from the truth! Not only do your infant\u2019s teeth form their cute smile, but they also help them chew into nutrient-dense foods and develop healthy speaking patterns. Plus, they hold the space for their adult teeth, preventing troublesome misalignment. Therefore, it\u2019s of the utmost importance that you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n