Taking a Bite Out of Baby-Tooth Decay

[Guest guest]

This is off topic for saline support . . . but someone

mentioned their children's teeth decaying recently -

It's important info - even for grandparents! - Rogene

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Taking a Bite Out of Baby-Tooth Decay

March 22, 2006

By Henry H. Bernstein, D.O.

Boston Children's Hospital

Tooth decay takes place when sweetened liquids are

left on infants' teeth for long periods of time.

Infants' cavities are also known as " baby bottle tooth

decay, " which is named after the most common way that

infants develop tooth decay — being put to bed with a

bottle that contains sugar. Milk, formula and juice

are common culprits in bedtime bottles.

Everyone should know that it's not just the type of

liquid that makes a difference, but also how often and

how long the liquids are in contact with the surfaces

of the teeth. Baby bottle tooth decay can lead to

damage of your child's baby teeth and may even affect

permanent teeth.

Tooth decay in infants is so worrisome that some

people believe it could be the next epidemic we face.

Yet, amazingly, neither parents nor providers seem to

be taking the dental health of infants seriously

enough.

A Common Problem

Dental cavities are the most common infectious disease

in U.S. children. They are five times more common than

asthma in children, and yet asthma receives so much

more attention.

During 1999 through 2002, among children aged 2

through 11 years, 41% had dental cavities in their

primary teeth. About 42% of children and adolescents

aged 6 through 19 years (and a remarkably high 90% of

adults) had dental cavities in their permanent teeth.

Many of these cavities in children go untreated.

It also has been reported that only 44% of the total

population over age 2 visited the dentist in the

previous year, with differences according to

race/ethnicity, education and income. For example, 55%

of those with some college had a past-year visit,

compared with 24% of those with less than a high

school education. Underprivileged and minority

children have even higher rates of poor dental health.

We need to do as much as we can to promote the oral

health of children, such as with fluoride

supplementation, proper hygiene practices and bottle

weaning.

Dental health is a partnership between families and

providers. Although there are proven ways to promote

good dental health in your children, many parents may

overlook them or may not receive the proper

information on how best to care for their child's

teeth. It is your responsibility as a parent to talk

with your child's pediatrician about dental health at

the child's next visit.

The First Dental Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends

that children visit the dentist for the first time

when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6

months and 1 year of age. Visiting the dentist at such

a young age helps to establish good dental habits and

keep teeth healthy.

Don't be nervous about your child's first visit to the

dentist, which can pick up any problems with your

baby's teeth early and help correct them right away.

Pediatric dentists are likely to be sensitive to your

child's (and your) fears and anxieties. Prepare your

child for the visit by explaining in simple terms what

to expect. Avoid using potentially scary words (such

as " pain, " hurt " or " needles " ). The dentist will

explain any necessary procedures to your child in a

way he or she can understand.

You also can help keep your child's teeth healthy at

home. Practicing good dental hygiene is important not

only in preventing tooth decay, but also in preventing

negative effects on a child's daily life.

Caring for Your Child's Teeth

Additional ways to care for your child's teeth are to:

Wipe your baby's gums with clean gauze after each

feeding to get rid of any extra sugar or little pieces

of food.

Use water as a good substitute for sugary liquids if

your child needs a bottle before bed.

Brush your baby's teeth and gums thoroughly with a

soft infant toothbrush as soon as that first tooth

pops through.

Use a toothpaste with fluoride for children 2 and

older; talk to your dentist about the right toothpaste

for children younger than 2. Fluoride is important for

growing teeth.

Some tap water we drink may have the right amount of

fluoride; be sure to check with your doctor about the

fluoride levels in the drinking water near your home.

Fluoride supplementation can be given to young

children who do not get enough fluoride in their

regular diet.

Healthy teeth can help children to chew food more

easily, speak more clearly, and of course have a more

beautiful smile. On the other hand, poor dental

hygiene can cause severe pain, chewing difficulties,

speech impediments, lowered self-esteem and an

unwillingness to smile.

To prevent these problems, the American Academy of

Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric

Dentistry continually review recommendations to be

sure that we are providing the very best care for our

children's teeth and gums.

We will continue efforts to educate everyone about the

value of each child having an established dental home

for promoting healthy teeth and gums in all children.

In addition, studies are being done to better

understand what needs to be done and how best to do it

cost-effectively.

Henry H. Bernstein, D.O., is an associate professor of

pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and the chief of

general pediatrics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical

Center. He is the former director of primary care at

Children's Hospital Boston.

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