Baby teeth are very important as they form the basis for the permanent teeth. Any issue with them may lead to a significant effect on adult teeth. The problems include impacted tooth, misalignment, tooth decay, and other life-threatening infections. Baby teeth are also important because they:

• Help the child to eat and chew comfortably.
• Help in child’s face formation
• Assist him in talking clearly
• Make room for the permanent teeth

So, you need proper maintenance to get shiny, healthy teeth for your baby. Thus, stay conscious and protect his teeth.

Basics of baby bottle tooth decay
It is no more an unusual thing to have a baby with decayed teeth. When the infants invite decay at such an early age, it is termed as baby bottle tooth decay. Well, the reasons leading to the baby teeth issues are many, but one significant cause is the long exposure of the baby to sugary liquids like milk, formula or juices, etc. When you let the baby sleep with the milk bottle in mouth, you are inviting bacteria in his mouth, to prepare acids and attack on the teeth. It is more dangerous at sleep time because of the flow of the decreased flow of saliva. Though the upper front teeth of your baby are more prone to baby bottle tooth decay, other teeth may also get affected.

Symptoms and causes of baby bottle tooth decay
As this baby decay affects adversely on all the teeth of your baby, this needs early attention. The very first symptoms may include white spots either on the surface of their teeth or on the gum line. These spots will be followed by pain. The teeth at this stage may also suffer through sensitivity towards a specific temperature. Severe symptoms in the further stages include:

• black or brown spots on the teeth
• bleeding in the gums
• swollen gums
• fever
• bad breath

Though the broad cause of baby bottle tooth decay has already been discussed, you need to know how it processes. It can start with cavity-causing bacteria that are passed through the saliva from a mother to the child when she takes a milk feeding spoon in her mouth. The bacteria may also develop on their own when the baby is left with a milk bottle in his nap time. Keep in mind; if your baby is not receiving an adequate amount of fluoride, he has an increased risk for tooth decay.

Possible preventions
The good news is that it is curable and also can be prevented with some simple rules and steps:

• Clean your child’s gums after every meal with a soft damp cloth. Make sure, it doesn’t hurt him.
• Start brushing his teeth as soon as the first teeth appear. Again, use the brush with soft bristles.
• Limit his exposure to sugary drinks from the very beginning.
• Don’t make them sleep with a bottle having milk or any other sweet fluid in their mouth.

Do not make any delays, if your child is complaining to you of tooth sensitivity and pain. Your prompt action can prevent him from lifetime pain.

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