Caring for Baby Teeth
The first problem Dr. Babyteeth told me about is called "baby bottle tooth decay," also known as early childhood tooth decay, usually seen in kids around two or three years old. Basically, too many babies and toddlers are being put to bed with bottles that contain milk, juice, or formula. These children fall asleep while sucking on a bottle filled with liquids that contain carbohydrates and sugars. Bacteria in the mouth break down these carbohydrates into acids, which (after repeated exposures) can cause the upper teeth to begin to decay and blacken rapidly (the bottom teeth are usually protected by the tongue and saliva). This problem appears to be more prevalent when someone other than a parent, such as a nanny or teacher, puts a child to sleep. If you suspect that a primary caregiver is putting a child to sleep with a bottle filled with anything but water, it is important to inform the parents about the risks of this practice. The second problem that Dr. Babyteeth told me about is called dental fluorosis. It is caused by over-ingestion of fluoride. The mineral fluoride is important for making tooth enamel strong and resistant to decay. It is added to drinking water in Orange County, Beverly Hills, and most of Los Angeles County (a program that began in 1999). This is an adequate amount of fluoride to help strengthen children's teeth. However, many children drink only bottled water and their parents therefore give them fluoride supplements. Unfortunately, the philosophy that "if a little is good, then a lot must be better" comes into play here, and some parents may end up giving too much of the mineral to their children. As a result, adult teeth can grow in with white specks (in mild cases) or are pitted with brown stains (in severe cases). Fluorosis occurs only during tooth development, i.e. in young children, and its damage is permanent. Prevention is important, so fluoride supplementation should be discussed with a dentist and instructions should be followed carefully. Once teeth are grown in and a child can spit, a small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used to brush teeth, but should not be swallowed (this can be another contributor to fluorosis). Topical fluoride in toothpaste may be helpful for preventing and repairing damage to adult and baby teeth. Nutrition-wise, there are several practices that can help prevent childhood tooth decay. Eating sweet, starchy, and sticky foods can lead to cavities and tooth decay, especially if these foods are eaten frequently. Saliva helps protect tooth enamel by neutralizing and washing away acids in the mouth. More saliva is produced during meals than during snacks, so if a child is going to eat these carbohydrate-rich foods, they should do so with meals, not as snacks. This is not to imply that carbohydrates are "bad." In fact, they can be very important sources of energy and nutrients for children, especially in whole-grain form. Water should also be emphasized and sweetened drinks, like soda, should be consumed rarely, if at all. Aside from fluoridated water, the mineral fluoride also occurs naturally in small amounts in fish, seafood, tea, vegetables, and fruit. A balanced diet that contains minimally processed foods and stresses whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat and non-fat dairy can help build healthy children with healthy teeth. You may be wondering why baby teeth are even that important, since they eventually all fall out by age 11 and are replaced by adult teeth. The fact is that baby teeth are very important for helping the child's mouth develop for proper biting and chewing of food, ingesting a variety of foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies, speech development, holding space for adult teeth, and for a nice smile. Prevention of dental problems is important not only for preserving a parent's wallet, but also for avoiding fear of the dentist that can be created when a young child has to undergo extensive dental work.
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recently met a pediatric dentist, I'll call him Dr. Babyteeth, who told me about two alarming issues that he sees routinely in his practice. After doing a little research, I feel that whether you're a parent, future parent, grandparent, child caregiver, or even know someone who is, this information could help save the teeth of a child you know.