Advanced Cosmetic and General Dentistry Blog

Studio City, Valley Village, Burbank, North Hollywood

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Early Childhood Caries

A child is susceptible to tooth decay as soon as their first teeth appear, usually by six months of age. This condition is referred to as early childhood caries (cavities) or baby bottle tooth decay.

In some cases the tooth decay is so severe it has resulted in extractions, but fortunately, early childhood caries is a preventable condition.

The tooth decay seen in infants occurs when sweetened liquids are consumed and are left clinging to the infants' teeth and gums for long periods of time. Sweet liquids such as milk, formulas and fruit juices are used by bacteria in the mouth as food. The bacteria produce acids that then attack the teeth. Allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle during a nap or through the night is a major cause of infant tooth decay. After every bottle the infants’ teeth and gums should be wiped clean with a soft cloth to prevent the bacteria from flourishing.

Baby teeth are very important and play a major role in the future development of permanent teeth. Dental visits for your child should start by their first birthday or sooner if a problem develops. The dentists at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are experienced in the care and treatment of early childhood dental problems.

If you would like to learn more about the problem of early childhood tooth decay and how to prevent it, please contact Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Studio City, California today.

posted by Tiffany at 3:42 PM

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home