Early childhood caries, which used to be called "babv bottle tooth decay" and "nursing caries," is a severe form of dental decay found in very young children who presumably are put to sleep with any liquid other than water in a bottle. Children who have experienced prolonged breast-feeding will have the same type of tooth decay patterns. Many times, the decay is very advanced before the parent notices the problem. This is another reason that dentist Manhattan Beach want to see the child for his or her first dental visit while those new teeth are still in the eruption phase and before the child's first birthday. The teeth most affected by early childhood caries are the upper front teeth. As the child falls asleep with a bottle containing any liquid other than water (or at the breast), pools of the liquid collect against the tooth surfaces. Sugars in the liquid feed the bacteria found in bacterial plaque to produce
When children are given acidic and sugar)' drinks for a prolonged period of time, the result can be very damaging to tooth structure. Similarly, when oral bacteria are fed small amounts of sugared or acidic beverages nonstop over a day's time, the results can be quite damaging to tooth structure. The best prevention for this type of problem begins with an understanding of the decay process and how parents can prevent it before it even starts. Experts recommend that parents bring their children to the dentist before the first birthday so that we can perform an infant oral examination and discuss oral care, including the following points:
Children should not be put to sleep with a sugared or acidic liquid in a bottle. No milk, no juice, no soda and plain water only. Children, including infants, require daily oral cleansing. If no teeth are present, the gums should be gently wiped with a wet cloth, gauze, or baby toothbrush. When teeth are present, they should be brushed. By about age 2 to 3, teeth should be brushed with fluoridated toothpaste, but only with a very small amount- about the size of a pea or less. Liquid sugars and other easily fermentable carbohydrates such as white bread, cakes, cookies, or crackers should be given with meals and not as "snacks." The proper level of systemic fluoride should be ingested daily by the time the child is 6 months of age. Visiting the dentist Manhattan Beach regularly helps to solve almost all dental problems of the child.
