Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Treatments

Severely decayed teeth may need to be removed.

Baby bottle tooth decay treatments.

Baby bottle tooth decay can happen when babies are allowed to drink from a bottle for a prolonged period of time. The baby teeth discolor and give an unsightly appearance to your child s smile decreasing a child s self esteem. The treatment procedures are as follows. Deep dental decay can lead to dental abscesses and infection requiring long treatment time.

If baby bottle tooth decay occurs in your baby visit a children s pediatric dentist immediately for dental advice and treatment. Left undiagnosed baby bottle decay can lead to the loss of teeth. At the earliest signs of a problem you and your child s dentist can work together to formulate an approach to management and treatment. Treatment for baby bottle tooth decay treatment varies based on your child s age and the severity of the condition.

If baby bottle tooth decay is left untreated pain and infection can result. Baby bottle tooth decay may affect any or all of the teeth but is most prevalent in the front teeth on the upper jaw. This most commonly occurs when babies are given bottles just before naptime or bedtime and they eventually fall asleep with the bottle still in their mouths. If baby bottle tooth decay becomes too severe the pediatric dentist may be unable to save the affected tooth.

When white spots are seen the dentist uses a fluoride varnish to remineralize all the teeth. In root canal therapy the pulp of the tooth including the nerve and vascular tissues is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. Cut down on sugar consumption by your child particularly before bedtime or a nap and clean their teeth daily preferably after each feeding session. The best approach to tackling baby bottle tooth decay is prevention.

Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed. Place only formula milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water juice or soft drinks. If your child uses a pacifier provide one that is clean don t dip it in sugar or honey.

Endodontic therapy also known as a root canal is recommended if the pulp in a tooth dies from infection by decay causing bacteria or from trauma. Depending on the extent of the cavities the teeth may be treated with fillings or crowns. Cavities develop in the teeth from the plaque in the baby s mouth making acids after digesting the milk in the bottle.