Many parents don’t pay a whole lot of attention to their children’s baby teeth, believing that they will eventually get replaced by adult teeth when their children get older. But the reality is that baby teeth have an important function in your child’s oral development. Those primary teeth help small kids chew food correctly, maintain space for their impending adult teeth and prevent the tongue from sitting abnormally in the mouth. 

At the office of Briarcliff Pediatric Dentistry, our professional team is committed to pediatric oral health. We want to play an active role in helping your child maintain a healthy set of teeth at every stage in his/her development. 

The term “baby bottle tooth decay” refers to cavities that arise in infants and toddlers. The causes include acid-producing bacteria in the oral cavity or an excess of sweet liquids such as breast milk, baby formula and juices. Though baby bottle tooth decay may affect any or all of the teeth, it’s most prevalent in the upper front teeth.

If the decay gets to a certain point of severity, a pedodontist might not be able to preserve the affected tooth (or teeth). When that happens, the tooth is extracted and a space maintainer is put in its place to prevent the remaining teeth from becoming misaligned. 

The good news is that baby bottle tooth decay is preventable by scheduling regular well-baby checkups with a pediatric dentist starting when your child is about 12 months old. You can also play a part in reducing the risk of the condition developing by cleaning your child’s gums after every feeding, rinsing pacifiers and toys in clean water, and limiting your child’s consumption of sugary drinks, using an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste as teeth appear.

The office of Briarcliff Pediatric Dentistry is committed to your child’s oral health. We offer the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care for your child’s dental needs. For more information about our services, please call us today.