What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar from foods and drinks. These bacteria produce acids that slowly wear down tooth enamel. Over time, the enamel breaks down and cavities can form.
Even healthy teeth can develop decay if sugars stay on the teeth too often or for too long.
What Is Early Childhood Tooth Decay?
Early Childhood Tooth Decay (also called Early Childhood Caries) is a type of tooth decay that affects baby teeth in infants and young children. It can develop quickly, especially when sugary liquids stay on the teeth for long periods of time.
A common cause is putting a baby or toddler to bed with a bottle. While your child sleeps, the liquid can sit on the teeth, giving bacteria more time to create harmful acids.
Drinks that can increase the risk include:
– Milk
– Formula
– Juice
– Sweetened drinks
Some Tips To Avoid Early Childhood Tooth Decay
You can lower your child’s risk of tooth decay with a few simple daily habits:
– Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water only
– Avoid nursing your child while they are asleep or after they stop actively feeding
– Don’t allow your child to carry a bottle of milk or juice around during the day
– Start teaching your child to drink from a cup at around 6 months
– Try to stop bottle use by 12–14 months
– Never dip pacifiers in honey, sugar, or sweet substances
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities. It makes teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugar.
If your drinking water does not contain enough fluoride, your child’s doctor or dentist may recommend fluoride drops or tablets. These are often started around six months of age, if needed.
Always follow your dentist’s recommendations, since too much fluoride can sometimes cause mild spotting on developing teeth.