Decay in baby teeth is often neglected because of the "they'll fall out anyway" mindset. Yet baby teeth are critical for a child's nutrition, speech and the healthy eruption of permanent teeth. In this article we cover the most common type, bottle caries, its causes and how to prevent it.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

  • They enable chewing and healthy nutrition.
  • They contribute to speech and voice development.
  • They hold space for the permanent tooth coming in beneath them; early loss can lead to misalignment of the teeth.
  • A decayed tooth can be a source of pain, abscess and infection.

How Does Bottle Caries Develop?

Bottle caries (early childhood caries) is seen especially in babies who fall asleep sucking milk, fruit juice or a sugary liquid from a bottle at night. Because saliva flow decreases during sleep, the sugary liquid stays on the teeth for a long time and rapid decay begins on the front teeth. Failing to clean the mouth after frequent and prolonged breastfeeding can also contribute.

Prevention: To Protect the Teeth

  • Stop the nighttime bottle; do not put your child to sleep with a bottle. Give nothing but water.
  • From the very first tooth, brush twice a day (especially at night) with a soft brush and a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Limit sugary drinks, fruit juice and sticky snacks; switch to drinking from a cup early.
  • Do not dip the pacifier in honey or sugar.
  • Begin dental check-ups after the first tooth appears (by age 1 at the latest).

For brushing habits and the first dentist visit, our article on tooth brushing and the first dental visit offers guidance.

If Decay Has Already Developed

A decayed baby tooth must always be evaluated; untreated decay causes pain, abscess and problems in the permanent tooth. Since feeding habits are decisive in tooth decay, we also take a holistic look at the picky eater and nutrition approach.

In Şahinbey, Gaziantep, you can benefit from our well-child monitoring service for your child's general health and eating habits.

📅 Book an appointment for a child health check-up

This content is for informational purposes; consult a dentist for dental treatment and your pediatrician for general health. — Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş