# Presentation: 384411

## 
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

																																				1

- Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- 																																				1

**Notes:**
Preventing baby bottle tooth decay is important for all babies and children.

## Why are baby teeth important? 2

-  hold a place for permanent teeth
-  for eating!
- development of normal speech
- good looking smile
- self esteem

## Examples of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay    3

-   mild 		   moderate 	       severe

**Notes:**
Here are three different examples of baby bottle tooth decay.  The mild case has some decay in between the front teeth.  The other two views have obvious decay.

## Baby Bottle Tooth Decay  can be... 4
 painful  for the child!

 $$ expensive if surgical procedure needed to place caps over teeth

A negative effect on child’s self image

******* ******painful***  for the child!
**** $$ expensive if surgical procedure needed to place caps over teeth
****A** **negative effect on child’s self image

**Notes:**
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) can painful for the child and traumatic if surgery is required to cap teeth.  Surgery to cap teeth is expensive and requires a one day stay in a hospital.  Protect your child from preventable decay and help them have good looking teeth so they can feel good about themselves! 

## Good News... 5

**100% preventable!**
**	****	**
**	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	**

## 		HOW? 	 6				

- No bottle or sippy cups of formula or milk in bed
- No propping bottle
- No other liquids in bottle besides formula
- No carrying around a bottle all day

**Notes:**
So how do we prevent BBTD? (read info from slide)  Following these simple rules can reduce pooling of decay encouraging liquids like milk in the mouth.  Once we fall asleep the swallowing reflex and saliva production are reduced.  Any liquid other than water will sit in the mouth and bathe the teeth for hours letting decay begin. This also applies to breastfeeding. Letting a baby stay latched on for hours can help start tooth decay in the same manner as a bottle used in bed.      weaning by 12-14 months therefore doesn’t ever learn to carry bottle 
 Another side benefit to no bottles or cups of milk in bed is a reduction in ear infections.  When baby relaxes and goes to sleep the milk may actually enter the middle ear and cause an infection. 

## Also important...7

- wean from bottle by 12-14 months
- encourage cup use starting age 6 months

**Notes:**
It is also important to wean from the bottle around 12 months and start giving your baby a cup to use and practice with around 6 months.  The cup can be empty or have a very small amount of water or formula in it for baby to practice with.  Also assist your baby with the cup so he gets used drinking from something else besides a bottle.  Drinking from cup is very different than sucking from a bottle or breastfeeding. (Show example of sippy cup here.)

## How do I clean the teeth?

## 										9

wipe gums with damp baby washcloth

first tooth, brush with child’s soft toothbrush 

Be gentle!

 no tooth paste needed

- wipe gums with damp baby washcloth
- first tooth, brush with child’s soft toothbrush
- Be gentle!
-  no tooth paste needed

**Notes:**
Before first teeth erupt, gums can be wiped with a damp baby washcloth.  When first teeth come in use a small, soft child’s  

Before teeth come in you can get baby ready for tooth care by wiping the gums with a soft, thin cloth like a baby wash cloth.
Then when the teeth come in, usually between the third and seventh months, teeth should be brushed twice a day.  You don’t have to use toothpaste, wetting the toothbrush with water will work fine. (If question is asked about using toothpaste, recommend to not use toothpaste until an age when child learns to spit out toothpaste and not swallow it.  Then only use a pea sized amount.)   

## When do I start? 10

- the earlier the better
- absolutely must start when first tooth comes in to prevent decay
- first tooth, 3-7 months average

## What foods encourage tooth decay? 11 	

- wait to give these foods until at least one year or more!
- any type of candy or lollipops
- gummy “fruit” snacks
- fruit leather/fruit roll-ups
- cookies/cakes
- processed cheese slices
- dried fruit or raisins
- teething biscuits
- sodas

**Notes:**
There are some foods that are important to try to stay away from for at least until your baby is one year of age if possible!  The foods listed here are high in sugar and can stick to the teeth making decay more likely.  An example of processed cheese slice would be individually wrapped cheese slices that are called “Kraft singles” or “Velveeta singles”.

## Fluoride for strong teeth! 12

- American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- less than 6 months, no supplementation needed
- After 6 months, drink tap water if fluoridated
- If water not fluoridated, ask doctor for fluoride supplement

**Notes:**
Fluoride also plays a part in reducing the occurrence of BBTD and is needed in the diet for strong teeth and bones.  Babies under 6 months of age do not need fluoride supplementation.  Babies 6 months and older need fluoride in diet which is usually supplied by drinking tap water or making formula with tap water.  Find out if your water is fluoridated by calling the local water authority.  If your water is not fluoridated, ask your doctor for a fluoride supplement. 

## Too  much  fluoride 

is damaging  to 

teeth!
								13

**  **
**is damaging  to **
**teeth!**
**	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****13**

**Notes:**
Too much fluoride is damaging to teeth.  It can cause white spots in teeth and cause pitting putting the child at risk for decay.  So do not give a fluoride supplement to your baby if your water is fluoridated.  If you have doubts about fluoride levels in your water, call the local water authority.  If you use well water, take your water to the local Health Department lab to be checked for fluoride concentration.  Then check with your doctor to see if supplementation is necessary.  Also be careful about fluoridated tooth paste use.  Use a very small amount to make sure the child is not swallowing excess fluoride or buy toothpaste that does not contain fluoride or just use water to brush.  If using fluoridated toothpaste, be sure to put it out of reach to protect child from eating it and getting too much fluoride!

## Good tooth care... 14

**start early**
**be consistent**
**set a good example**
**brush teeth together**
**brush child****’****s teeth****/****wipe gums  **
**let your child brush your teeth for you!**
**	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	**

**Notes:**
Good tooth care consists of introducing your baby to mouth care early by starting before teeth erupt and setting a good example for your child as she grows.  Brush your child’s teeth for her and as she gets older let her practice brushing your teeth as well as her own.  Letting your child see you brushing your teeth sets a good example.  Be consistent about brushing. Children like routines.  Brush at the same times each day.  For example in the morning, brush right after breakfast and in the evening brush right after dinner so your child will know when she is expected to brush her teeth.

## How do I wean from the bottle? 15(for babies 12 months of age and older)

- Reduce the number of bottles every 3-5 days by one
- Fill bottle with water only and cup with milk.  Give child choice of one.
- Set a “quit date” for the bottle and stick to it!
- Only offering a cup from that date on.

## What about breastfeeding? 16 

******Breast feeding past 12 months is fine**
****** ****No extended periods latched on, **
**especially overnight**
**Should be using cup as well**
**	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	**

## Trouble falling asleep now that bottle is gone from 				crib?...				 17 		

**Try...music**
**	****	****...****rocking**
**	****	****...****pacifier**
**	****	****...****reading a story**
**	****	****...****musical mobile**
**	****	****...****comfort item****	****	**

## 
 first trip to dentist between 18 
2 and 3 years of age
alleviate fears and set the stage for regular dentist visits.

-  first trip to dentist between 18
- 2 and 3 years of age
- alleviate fears and set the stage for regular dentist visits.

**Notes:**
To start good habits for a lifetime, your child’s first trip to the dentist should be between 1 and 2 years of age.  Trip can be just for child to observe mom or dad getting teeth checked or cleaned.  This can help alleviate fears and make dentist visits easier on everyone.

## Review														

## 

Questions?

									23

- Questions?
- 									23

**Notes:**
Are there any questions? 

## Thank you 
for coming 
to today’s class!

**for coming **
**to today’s class!**