Our Blog

What is  "Baby bottle syndrome?"

Baby bottle syndrome, now known as Early childhood caries ( ECC ),
is defined as the presence of 1 or more decayed teeth or missing teeth
This results in dental caries or (cavities) or filled tooth surfaces in
any primary tooth between birth and 71 months of age.

Below we will explore how to prevent baby bottle syndrome.

1. Giving them unlimited access to beverages overnight can harm their oral health.
Let's explore some reasons why and what we can do.

Issues associated with a bottle overnight:
- The nipple of a bottle prevents saliva from washing away the sugars from the incisors.
bottom front teeth may also be affected
- Milk, juice, and formula all contain simple carbohydrates. Bacterias just love sugars and cause plaque.
- As the bacteria break down fluids, it produces acids that may harm baby's tooth enamel.

What can we do?:
- A bottle or a sippy cup with water overnight is better than milk or juice.
however, babies should breastfeed or drink for the first 6 months before giving them more water.
The formula itself should not be too diluted with water. Giving babies too much water can affect appetite.
- If your child falls asleep while feeding, remove the bottle as soon as you notice your baby is no longer sucking.

- Teach your child to drink from a cup rather than a bottle by about six months. Children should be weaned from the bottle by about one-year-old.
- Changing a child's diet may help prevent baby bottle tooth decay. More about this below.

2. Keep them Hydrated during the day
Adequate hydration is essential for growing babies. They are more prone to dehydration than adults are.

Here are some signs of dehydration to watch out for:
Sleepiness.
Irritability.
Thirst.
Less elasticity in the skin.
Eyes and fontanel (or soft spot on the head) appear sunken.
Decrease or absence of tears.
Dry mouth.
more than 6 hours without a wet diaper.
Decrease the number of wet diapers.
urine looks or smells stronger.
rapid breathing
High heart rate

3. Changing a child's diet may help prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Employing the following changes can help:

a. Gradually dilute the bottle contents with water over a period of two to three weeks.
b. Once that period is over, if you give a child a bottle, fill it with water or give the child a clean pacifier recommended by a dentist. The only safe liquid to put in a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is water.
c. Decrease consumption of sugar, especially between meals.
d. Children should be weaned from the bottle as soon as they can drink from a cup, but the bottle should not be taken away too soon, since the sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles, as well as the tongue.

4. Clean their teeth

Cleaning baby's teeth can begin as soon as the first tooth pokes through the gums.
however, even though the teeth have not fully come out, doctors recommend brushing the gums to rid particles and bacteria. Use a clean, damp washcloth, gauze pad or a finger brush to gently wipe clean the first teeth and front of the tongue. Massage the gums and gingival tissues\
once a day until they turn 12 months old.

As for the toothbrush, it should be soft and have no more than three rows of bristles.
A pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be applied. Toss out any toothbrushes that have become rough or after using 2-4 months. This is because nasty mouth bacteria can begin to build up.

For babys toothbrushing time:

* Nice and gentle
* Sing a song for distraction
* Let baby examine the toothbrush a little bit.
* Colorful silicone finger brushes with nubs are a great way to move to the next level
from a washcloth and then to a brush.

When baby is ready to brush on their own, they will start grabbing for the brush.

5. Bring your baby to their first dental visit after the first tooth erupts. (Typically before age one)
Your baby needs to be healthy, be able to chew and speak, have strong teeth, and a strong jaw.
Medical and Dental professionals recommend that baby's first visit should be
within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

This article is intended to provide an understanding and knowledge about baby bottle syndrome and babies' dental health. Always seek the advice of a professional dentist
with any questions, you may have regarding your child and medical conditions or treatments.

According to the American Dental Association, dental health is one of the
the first area to decline is your oral health when your diet is less than ideal.

Dental health is a part of your overall health. Below you will find some foods that
contribute to healthy teeth.

1. Cheese
Dairy products, such a s milk and cheese, contain casein protein, which stabilizes and repairs enamel.
Be sure to check labels to ensure that that it has calcium and what recommended amount each serving is giving you.
Cheese fortifies bones with calcium.

2. Leafy Greens
Spinach, peas, peppers oh my. They're full of vitamins and minerals and are low in calories. Chewing a lot generates saliva that cleans and rinses your teeth while also neutralizing the acid. Not only are leafy greens packed with fiber, Chewing on leafy greens supports this activity

3. Wild Salmon
Not only does Wild Salmon provide health benefits like heart-healthy vitamin B12,
it provides bone-building vitamin D and calcium, making it an all-round superfood
for helping to maintain healthy teeth and gums

4. Green Tea
Regularly drinking green tea can protect against cavities, gum disease and bad breath,
according to a 2016 study that compiled research on the beverage's oral health effects.]
Kids may be reluctant at first to drink green tea but many of them love it with honey.
The antibacterial properties of the honey will affect the flushing of bad bacteria.

5. Carrot Sticks
Carrot sticks act as weapons for fighting cavities as they act as a natural toothbrush.
This crunchy vegetable is high in plaque-attacking as well as vitamin A,
which is crucial for strengthening delicate tooth enamel.

6. Naturally sweet raisins
Raisins contain phytochemicals, which may kill bacteria that cause plaque.
Raisins do not contain table sugar and sucrose.

This article is intended to provide an understanding and knowledge about foods that support dental health. Always seek the advice of a professional dentist
with any questions you may have regarding your child and medical conditions or treatments.

7 vitamins and minerals your mouth needs
Want healthy teeth and gums? Make sure your diet features these key ingredients. These nutritional building blocks are essential for your dental health.

Calcium
No surprises here — calcium is well known as a friend for teeth. Throughout the body, the mineral helps build bones and provide structural support. In your mouth, calcium helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone.

What to eat: In addition to milk, good sources of calcium include cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and salmon.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium while boosting bone mineral density, so it’s crucial to get an adequate amount of vitamin D to get the most out of your calcium intake.

What to eat: Your body naturally makes vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight, but the vitamin can also be found in fatty fish, canned tuna and portobello mushrooms. You can also look for foods and drinks that have been fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, orange juice, and cereal.

Potassium
Like vitamin D, potassium improves bone mineral density. It also works with magnesium to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can leach calcium from your bones and teeth.

What to eat: Bananas are well-known sources of potassium, but they’re not alone. Other fruits and vegetables with high levels of the mineral include lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, and prunes.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus supports calcium in building strong bones and teeth.

What to eat: Luckily, phosphorus is found in a wide range of foods. Rich sources of the mineral include seafood, such as scallops, sardines, cod, shrimp, tuna and salmon. If you’re looking to get your phosphorus from plant-based foods, consider soybeans, lentils and pumpkin seeds. You can also find phosphorus in beef, pork, and cheese.

Vitamin K
Think of this vitamin as a shield – it helps block substances that break down bone. It also helps your body produce osteocalcin, a protein that supports bone strength. A vitamin K deficiency can slow down your body’s healing process and make you more likely to bleed.

What to eat: Chowing down on leafy greens, such as kale, collards, and spinach, can help you increase your vitamin K quota. Other great sources include parsley, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.

What to eat: You probably already know that citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, but you can also find it in potatoes and leafy greens.

Vitamin A
This vitamin helps keep mucous membranes healthy. It prevents dry mouth and helps your mouth heal quickly.

What to eat: For strong gums and teeth, load up on fish, egg yolks and liver. You can also find it in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens, or in orange-colored fruits and oranges: think apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These fruits and veggies contain high levels of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.

This article is intended to provide an understanding and knowledge about
Vitamins and minerals that keep teeth strong. Always seek advice from a professional dentist with any questions you may have regarding your child and medical conditions or treatments.

Complete Article cited: Delta Dental, April 2016.
You can Visit Delta Dental here

How sugary drinks harm your teen's teeth
| Teens and sugary drinks

The number of teenagers who consume soda today has nearly doubled from what it was several years ago. Sodas and other carbonated beverages typically contain an excessive amount of sugars and acidic flavorings that erode tooth enamel, which can ultimately lead to tooth decay.

Sipping soda through a straw can reduce the contact these beverages have with your teeth, essentially minimizing the damage. In addition, drinking water after soda helps to rinse your mouth and reduce your risk of cavities. To help keep your teeth strong for your lifetime, limit your intake of carbonated beverages.

Exploring the two main effects sugary beverages have on your teeth

Erosion
When soft drinks encounter tooth enamel( the protective layer on your teeth) the acids begin and continue to reduce the hardness of the enamel. As you drink more sugary drinks, the acids tend to do more damage.

Cavities
The next layer behind the enamel is the dentin. The acids can and will damage this layer which will then develop cavities. This develops over time as people who drink soft drinks regularly.

Some of the most common soft drinks and even drinks marked as "healthy" have loads of sugar in them.
Lots of Sugar
Soda
Energy Drinks
Chocolate Milk
Smoothies
Fruit Punch
Juice

Better Choices
Water
Unsweetened Tea
Milk
Plain Sparkling Water
Diluted
These have little to no sugar.

Don't sip:
The longer you take to drink your drink, the more time the acids and sugar have to damage your teeth. Drinking at a faster but safe pace will allow the harmful acidy beverage less time to damage your teeth.

Use Straws and drink in moderation:
Using a straw when you drink soda may help avoid cavities and tooth decay,
but the straw needs to be in the right place. Using straws is a helpful method of drinking
beverages like soda because the straw sets passed the teeth.
They will not completely help prevent cavities however, this is why drinking in moderation is also advised. The less harmful and sugary drinks are consumed,
the better the chance to preventing cavities.

Rinse your mouth with water afterward:
Flushing your mouth with some water after drinking soda will help wash away any remaining sugars and acids, and stop them from attacking your teeth.

Brushing Tip, Wait before you brush:

brushing immediately after drinking a soft drink or sugary beverage is not a good idea.
This is because the teeth that are recently attacked by acid are vulnerable and can
easily be damaged due to the added friction to the acid.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is highly recommended.