What is the Nursing Bottle Caries

The concept of “nursing bottle caries” is not academic, but it is often used in the practice of a pediatric dentist. Visually, the symptoms of this phenomenon are manifested in the form of yellow, or even brown spots on the surface of the primary teeth at the age of 1 to 3-4 years. The etymology of this name is derived from the natural causes of its occurrence: feeding the baby before bedtime (or in the middle of the night) from a bottle. In particular, if we are talking about feeding formulas, syrups, juices and cereals, which contain lactose, or it can be milk or any sweet baby food. Since babies cannot follow oral hygiene as thoroughly as adults, any food debris, even the most “harmless,” are excellent microflora for the development of pathogenic organisms in the oral cavity. After all, the baby’s body is not yet fully strengthened to develop sufficient immunity.

As a rule, the symptoms of “nursing bottle caries” appear on the anterior incisor teeth and proximal grinders (on the average, the lesion is about 4-6 teeth). Primary teeth at first acquire an unaesthetic appearance (change of color of enamel), and then begin to decay.

The traditional misconception of young parents is the thought that “these are milk teeth,” but such a disease and decay of milk teeth will negatively affect the growth of permanent teeth. Therefore, in case of appearance of any external signs of primary teeth diseases, you should immediately contact a qualified pediatric dentist.

Causes of nursing bottle caries

• the main parents’ mistake is to feed a baby with sweet mixtures or juices before bedtime or during the night;
• insufficient care for primary teeth, believing that they “will fall out anyway”, and you only need to take care of permanent teeth.

Symptoms and manifestations of nursing bottle caries

Nursing bottle caries, as a rule, manifests itself in the neck area of teeth on the upper incisors and canine teeth. This is due to the fact that during sucking the tongue protects and cleans the lower teeth, while the “sweet environment” on the upper central teeth remains unprotected and the “suitable” medium for the occurrence of pathogenic microflora. If proper cleaning of primary teeth is not carried out, the process of decay and the appearance of a porous surface occur.

The accumulation of dental plaque and the special acidity of the bacterial environment continue to destroy the enamel, which provokes a visual discoloration and the appearance of roughness. In the future, we can observe the formation of brown spots and carious cavities. Thus, we see the deformation of primary teeth near the gums and along the bottom edge. Not only night feeding with feeding formulas leads to such consequences, but also breastfeeding: since breast milk also contains sugar and at night the secretion of saliva decreases. Moreover, after feeding at this time of day, the necessary cleaning is not performed.

Treatment of nursing bottle caries

If you notice a visual change in the condition of the enamel of primary teeth (abrasion and darkening, discoloration), you should immediately contact a pediatric dentist. There are different degrees of development of nursing bottle caries, and accordingly, methods of dental treatment:

• remineralizing therapy is a procedure for strengthening and restoring tooth enamel. It is used in the early stages of the development of the disease;
• teeth ozonation is the impact on the affected areas with ozone gas, using a special apparatus. It is used in the early stages of the development of the disease;
• treatment and filling of teeth is carried out with average damage to the tooth enamel when the tooth can still be restored;
• extraction of a primary tooth is an extreme measure when the process is running when the tooth is not recoverable.

Prevention of nursing bottle caries

• thorough oral hygiene. Cleaning primary teeth since their appearance. Parents are advised to regularly wipe the gums and teeth of the baby with special dental wipes or a bandage steeped in chamomile brew;
• restriction of sweet drink at night (drinking from a nursery cup is preferable);
• introduction of solid food for good self-cleaning of teeth: apples, carrots, etc .;
• carrying out remineralizing therapy at home strictly on the appointment of a dentist (use of special pastes, gels, etc.);
• exclusion of such harmful things as licking of a feeding nipple, spoons by parents, or dipping them into honey, jam, etc.

Experts of Avanto clinics advise young parents to pay attention to any visual changes in the primary teeth of babies. After all, it is important to realize that problems with primary teeth, including nursing bottle caries, can negatively affect the growth of permanent teeth. It can lead to abnormal occlusion in the future, the damage to the teeth, etc. Such situations not only bring a lot of uncomfortable sensations and complexes but also provoke dental diseases that sooner or later will require to be treated. Therefore, the pediatric dentists of Avanto clinics guarantee the most comfortable and safe conditions for treating young patients, as well as a beautiful smile from an early age.