Infant dental decay: My 18-month-old daughter has small areas of what looks like decay on her teeth. Can babies can get cavities?
The development of tooth cavities occurs when bacteria that live in the mouth begin to digest sugar and other carbohydrates. This process forms an acid that breaks down the outer shell of the tooth - the enamel. When the enamel is damaged, it exposes the living, softer tissues of the tooth. Cavities can develop in infants and young children as soon as their first teeth come in. This can easily happen if a child is left with a bottle of juice or formula at night or during nap time. When these fluids stay in the mouth, oral bacteria produce acid from the sugars in the drink which then destroys the enamel. This typically leads to cavities in the top front teeth, the top molars and the eye teeth.
She uses a bottle during the day but I'm still breastfeeding her at night. Could breast milk be harming her teeth?
Yes, even breastfed babies are susceptible to tooth decay if they are fed frequently throughout the night.
What can I do about these cavities?
You should arrange a visit to your dentist who will be able to tell you if what you have noticed on your baby's teeth is decay. Some experts advise that children pay their first visit to the dentist within six months of the appearance of a first tooth or by their first birthday. In the meantime ensure she is not put to bed either for a daytime nap or at night with a drink in a bottle. And if breastfeeding, wean her off continuous feeds throughout the night. As your child grows, try to keep sugary drinks - including fruit juices - and sweet treats to a minimum. Limit such snacks to specific times of the day and don't give them within two hours of bedtime. Your dentist will advise you on how best to brush your baby's teeth, the use of fluoride toothpastes and techniques for flossing a young child's teeth. When older she may require fissure sealants - a plastic coating applied to permanent teeth to avoid plaque from entering the grooves of the biting surfaces to prevent further decay as she grows.