A child's mouth is not just a smaller version of an adult's mouth. It's important to assess the health and development of a child's teeth to prevent problems and ensure a healthy smile. The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child have their first visit within 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth. Education and early detection is the key to having a positive experience for your child at the dentist.
A common, but easily preventable pediatric condition is baby bottle decay. Also called bottle syndrome, it is a serious condition that can destroy your child's primary (baby) teeth. It occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to liquids that contain sugar such as milk, formula or fruit juice. Harmful bacteria feed on sugars. The liquid from the bottle pools around your child's teeth, providing food for decay-causing bacteria. The bacteria form acids that dissolve tooth enamel, causing decay. Any liquid that contains sugar even breast milk can cause decay.
How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay
- Clean your child teeth after each feeding
- Never give a bottle in bed, unless it contains only water
- Begin flossing your child's teeth daily once all primary teeth have erupted.
- Education and early detection is the key to having a positive experience for your child at the dentist.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.
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