WHAT IS NURSING OR BABY BOTTLE CARIES?

Nursing or baby bottle caries (presently called early childhood caries) are one of the most serious type of dental decay a child can have. This condition is caused by early, frequent and long exposure of an infant or child’s teeth to sugar containing liquids. These liquids include cow’s milk, breast milk, formula, fruit juice, pop or other sweetened drinks. Placing a baby to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water may expose the child to early childhood caries. As the child falls asleep, s/he does not swallow the last sip of the fluid and the tongue pushes the fluid forward to the upper front teeth where the bacteria in the mouth cause the production of acid. The acid begins to dissolve the enamel on the teeth and cavities may develop quickly. Early childhood caries generally affects the upper front teeth first, quickly progress to the upper posterior teeth and then attacks the lower posterior teeth. If left untreated, early childhood caries can cause the premature ...