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Baby bottle tooth decay Although tooth decay is not as common as it used to be, it is still one of the most common diseases in children. Many children still get cavities. While fluoridated drinking water and fluoride-containing toothpaste have helped to improve the oral health of both children and adults, regular tooth brushing and a well-balanced diet are still very important to maintaining good oral health.
Many primary teeth will not be replaced by permanent teeth for 10 to 12 years. Until that time, they need to be kept healthy to enable a child to chew food, speak, and have an attractive smile. Primary teeth are at risk for decay soon after they erupt. Tooth decay is caused by germs (bacteria) and sugars from food or liquids building up on a tooth. Over time, these bacteria dissolve the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. This damaged area is called a cavity. Regular brushing prevents the build-up of bacteria and sugars and the damage they cause. Baby bottle tooth decay (or nursing bottle mouth) is a leading dental problem for children under 3 years of age. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child's teeth are exposed to sugary liquids, such as formula, fruit juices, and other sweetened liquids for a continuous, extended period of time. The practice of putting a baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours, is the major cause of this dental condition. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues, the greater the damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment is very expensive.
There are two types of bad breath: Transient bad breath and chronic bad breath. Most of us suffer from transient bad breath at some point or another – common causes are smoking, eating smelly foods like onions or garlic, and failing to brush and floss regularly. "Morning breath" is a familiar example of transient bad breath.
There are several potential reasons behind the occurrence of chronic halitosis. One is the onset of periodontal (gum) disease, which occurs when a film of bacteria called plaque forms on the teeth, causing infection and subsequent weakening of the gums. Another possible source of halitosis is xerostomia, or "dry mouth": when the flow of saliva through your mouth decreases, bacteria that would normally be flushed out stays put. A third potential cause of chronic bad breath is a condition called ketosis, which is found in people with high-protein, low-carb diets! Finally, there is a broad range of serious health problems that carry bad breath as a side effect; a few examples are respiratory tract infection, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, and liver and kidney disorders. If you've followed the guidelines listed above and you continue to suffer from halitosis, discuss the problem with your dentist. If he or she determines that your oral health is not the issue, the next step is visiting your family doctor or a specialist who can identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment. Of course, most cases of bad breath are – not surprisingly – tied to your oral health, and your dentist can develop a treatment plan to address the problem and have you breathing with confidence once again. Many factors cause and aggravate tooth staining, including age, translucency and thinness, eating habits, smoking habits, , grinding, and trauma. A direct correlation exists between tooth color and age. Usually, the older the teeth the more the teeth are stained due to accumulation and general wear and tear. Teenagers will likely experience immediate, drastic results from whitening because their teeth have not accumulated a large build up of stains. In the twenties when the teeth begin to show a yellow cast, teeth-whitening may require slightly more effort. Teeth in their forties begin to change hues from yellow to brown, indicating more maintenance in teeth-whitening efforts. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a host of stubborn stains which can prove difficult, but not impossible, to remove. The starting color of teeth varies from person to person and ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey and becomes more pronounced as we age. Yellow-brown is generally more responsive to bleaching efforts than green-gray. The genetic traits of translucency and thinness become more apparent over time. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are more responsive to bleaching. However, teeth that are thinner and more transparent (most apparent in the front teeth) may not be able to be bleached as the teeth lack the necessary pigment. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening. Eating habits are a contributing factor in tooth staining. The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colour beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. Enamel erosion is caused, in part, by consuming citrus fruits, vinegar and other acidic items. When combined, these two factors cause the surface of the tooth to become more transparent and more of the yellow colour dentin shows through. Smoking habits can alter the color of teeth. Smoking has been proven to leave brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration. Grinding your teeth can affect tooth color. Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken. Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in many things we eat or drink. It is nature’s way of helping prevent cavities. Professional strength (in-office fluorides) and low strength (home fluorides) each play important roles in helping to keep your teeth for life. In the lifelong fight against cavities, both adults and children benefit from in-office treatment and home fluorides. This is where low strength home fluorides, such as toothpastes and mouth rinses play a valuable role. These home fluorides are an important and valuable complement to the office treatment by replenishing and maintaining a beneficial level of fluoride in the teeth. Think of office fluoride treatments and home fluorides as your “1-2 Punch” in the lifelong fight against cavities. Ask us how fluoride can benefit you. Do you need fluoride? Most soft drinks contain acids such as citric, phosphoric and malic or tartaric acids. These acids are what give the drink the refreshing "bite" or "sting" and at the same time preserving the "quality" and sweetness of the drink. A study was done where extracted human teeth were placed in cola drinks. Within two days, the teeth became very soft and the enamel surface lost much of its calcium. If you think you would brush your teeth after drinking soft drinks, hear this: Brushing your teeth after drinking an acidic soft drink can increase the damage to your tooth enamel, and dissolving down the gum line. |
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| 117 Queen Street South Unit 2 Mississauga ON L5M 6B5 • 905 567 8899 • smile@streetsvilledental.com |
Primary, or baby, teeth commonly begin to come in or erupt in a baby's mouth at about 4 to 6 months of age and continue until all 20 have come in at about the age of 2-1/2 years. This eruption of primary teeth, or teething, can cause sore and tender gums that appear red and puffy. To relieve the soreness, give the baby a cold teething ring or washcloth to chew on. Teething medicine is not recommended. 
Fortunately, avoiding transient bad breath is simple. Follow these guidelines and you can stop chugging those breath mints with a mouthwash chaser: 
Professional in-office fluoride products are highly concentrated and can only be applied by a dental professional. Professional in-office fluorides make teeth stronger…and even heal weakened areas. Over time, the high level of fluoride provided by the in-office fluoridetreatment will gradually be released from the teeth.