Understanding Baby Bottle Syndrome

Often, young children are comforted by drinking a bottle full of milk or juice, and so it is common that parents will give their children before bed, or a nap. But did you know that it can hinder your child’s oral health when you allow them to sleep with a bottle in their mouth? Tooth decay may occur among children that are given a bottle as a sleep aid. The name for this is baby bottle syndrome.

Our pediatric dentists, Dr. Samuel Bailey, has seen the toll that baby bottle syndrome can take on children’s oral health. Here at West Valley Pediatric Dentistry in Taylorsville, Utah, we are dedicated to helping you and your family attain the highest achievable confidence in your smile possible.

Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle on a regular basis can be so damaging because some of the liquid from the bottle will almost always pool behind the front teeth. The bacteria that causes cavities will then be given ample time to erode the enamel of the baby’s teeth. The cavities that appear as a result of baby bottle syndrome are often found in the top front teeth, because when the nipple of the bottle remains in the child’s mouth, it prevents saliva from washing away the sugars.

Your child’s teeth will help them chew and speak in the coming years and will hold a place in the jaw for adult teeth to grow in, so if too much damage is done to baby teeth, although they are temporary, it can have permanent damage of future teeth.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 801-417-8080 to schedule an appointment. Our capable team eagerly awaits you and your family’s next visit.