Some parents say that they do not take their infant’s oral hygiene seriously because the initial teeth will eventually fall out. However, if you think that your child’s milk teeth are not important, think again. Not only are baby teeth important for chewing and speech development in the early years of your child’s life, but they are also crucial to the growth of straight and healthy teeth in adulthood. A lack of attention to your little one’s teeth, coupled with baby bottle tooth decay, may affect your child’s long-term oral health and self-esteem if left untreated, and article published by Health Hub states.  

As a result of negligence, many children suffer from baby bottle tooth decay, which refers to the development of cavities and early loss of baby teeth among infants and toddlers, usually brought on by prolonged milk bottle use.

Experts say that even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important, and are still prone to cavities.

According to Dr Gilbert Nuwagaba, an Adult and Paediatric Dentistry specialist, baby bottle tooth decay, also known as early childhood caries (ECC) refers to severe yet permanent destruction of baby teeth in infants and toddlers.

He says that decay happens if the three factors like teeth, bacteria and food are present at a given point. 

In a baby’s case, the frequently yet long lasting night bottle feeding is yet a big factor to harness the three factors at a given time. This is because the baby normally lays to sleep with the bottle in the mouth, thus the mouth is filled with food, notwithstanding that the mouth contains teeth and bacteria as well, hence in repetitive sequences it quickens the decay process. 

"With a baby sleeping, this is what it means, the mouth is either closed or half open, this denotes stagnant saliva, a dark environment, yet a warm environment as well, with this all present, bacteria is yet set into a stage on to which it acts on the left food (sugary) to break it down. The result of this is what culminates into decay of the tooth structure,” Dr Nuwagaba says. 

He adds that you can tell it’s baby bottle tooth decay if yellowish spots are seen on the teeth, or if there is chipping, cavities (sometimes yellowish or blackish) and pain when eating or drinking. Sometimes there is also swelling of the gum. 

To prevent decay, Nuwagaba advises cleaning or wiping the baby’s gums even before their first tooth as long as they are feeding (a clean reserved piece of cloth soaked in warm water) and do this even after giving syrup to the baby. 

He adds that before the baby sleeps, especially at night, clean their teeth. Once children start to brush by themselves, find time to check their mouths to make sure they do it right. The frequency of the foods and drinks containing processed sugars like sodas, ice cream, and sweets should be reduced. 

"Prevention is seeking dental assistance through routine dental check-ups at least twice or thrice a year, or if there is something not okay,” Dr Nuwagaba notes.

According to Dr AbduKadir Mamataliev, a dentist at Deva Medical Center-Nyarutarama, cleaning a baby’s tongue and gums is a relatively simple process, and you don’t need a lot of supplies. The only things you need are warm water, a washcloth or a piece of gauze.

"First, thoroughly wash your own hands with soap and water. Then, to begin cleaning, lay your baby across your lap with their head cradled in your hand. Then dip a gauze or cloth-covered finger into the warm water. Gently open your baby’s mouth, and then lightly rub their tongue in a circular motion using the cloth or gauze. Softly rub your finger over your baby’s gums and on the inside of their cheeks, too,” he says.

Dr Mamataliev notes that you can also use a soft finger brush designed to gently massage and scrub away milk residue from your baby’s tongue and gums. Ideally, you should brush your baby’s tongue at least twice a day.

He adds that you should teach your child to drink from a regular cup as soon as possible, preferably by 12 to 15 months of age. Drinking from a cup is less likely to cause the liquid to collect around the teeth. Also, a cup cannot be taken to bed.

Mamataliev states that if your child must have a bottle or sippy cup for long periods, fill it with water only and offer only water if your child is thirsty. Limit the amount of sweet or sticky foods your child eats, such as candy and others.

For treatment, Dr Nuwagaba urges filling of the teeth containing cavities, fluoride gel application on the susceptible teeth points, using pits and fissure sealants, pulpotomy for the yet painful teeth and extraction of the destroyed teeth. 

"The treatment is highly important as it preserves the reliability of the teeth cover in the mouth, hence, enhancing the feeding of the baby,” Dr Mamataliev adds.

When to brush the child’s teeth 

Dr Mamataliev advises that you ought to take good care of your baby’s teeth, for instance, from birth to 12 months. Keep your baby’s mouth clean by gently wiping the gums with a clean washcloth. Once you see the first teeth, gently brush using a soft baby toothbrush and a smear (grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste.

He says that for 12 to 36 months, brush your child’s teeth at least two times a day. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste until your child is three years of age. The best times to brush are after breakfast and before bed.

Dr Mamataliev warns against putting your child to bed with a bottle or food. Not only does this expose your child’s teeth to sticky substance, it can also put your child at risk of ear infections and choking.