Decayed baby teeth - Bottle caries!
 Signs and appearance of teeth displaying bottle caries:
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Brown teeth with fragmented edges |
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Upper front teeth that break easily |
Children who have erupted teeth or are past the age to be weaned are
highly susceptible to rotted front teeth when being put to bed with
a bottle containing milk, juice or other sugar-containing liquids.
There is decreased salivary flow during sleep and clearance of the
liquid from the teeth is slowed.
The liquid pools around the upper
front teeth and creates an excellent environment to promote the
growth of decay-causing bacteria. Removing the bottle before the
first tooth appears and wiping the child's gums and teeth with a
soft cloth before being put to bed can help prevent decay.
At 18
months of age, parents should be encouraged to ask their dentist to
examine their child and recommend home care.
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