Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

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To prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.
Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
Encourage healthy eating habits.

When your child’s first tooth appears, talk to your dentist about scheduling the first dental visit. Treat the first dental visit as you would a well-baby checkup with the child’s physician. Remember: starting early is the key to a lifetime of good dental health. For more information visit ADA.

Dr. Elizabeth Dimovski and Associates – Brampton Family Dentist

We Protect Your Smile!

905-458-6620