Pediatric Dentistry

Dental Care For All Children Ages 1-18

(779) 221-2006 Rockford, IL

SpecialNeedsDentistRockfordIL.com

Early Childhood Dental Care

What Causes Tooth Decay?

•Baby sucking on a bottle several specific types of bacteria that live on the teeth cause decay.

When sugar is consumed the bacteria use the sugar and then manufacture acids that dissolve the teeth and cause an infection in the tooth.

This infection is called decay.

What Is “baby-bottle” Tooth decay?

•Babies who go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice are more likely to get tooth decay.

Because the sugar in formula, milk or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night, the teeth can decay quickly.

Here are 5 tips to avoid baby-bottle tooth decay:

1. Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain

water, not milk or juice.

2. Stop nursing when your child is asleep or

has stopped sucking on the bottle.

3. Try not to let your child walk around using a

bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier.

4. Start to teach your child to drink from a cup

at about 6 months of age. Plan to stop using a

bottle by 12 to 14 months at the latest.

5. Don’t dip your child’s pacifier in honey or

sugar

The first baby teeth come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth.

You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old.

Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically.

They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth.

Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt.

Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t.

Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.

Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth.

But they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance.

For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.

Dental Care For All Children

Ages 1-18

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(779) 221-2006 Rockford, IL

SpecialNeedsDentistRockfordIL.com

Pediatric Dentistry