BABY BOTTLE SYNDROME

Baby Bottle Syndrome, also known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, is a serious disease that can lead to tooth decay and rot in children's teeth. What is BBTD? How is it caused and how can it be prevented?

Some images may be disturbing to some viewers.

This is what Baby Bottle Syndrome can look like.

FACTS

1. Baby Bottle Syndrome is the most common long-term childhood disease.
2. BBTD is caused when acids from sugary drinks break down teeth.

3. Some sugary drinks that cause BBTD are soda, milk, juice, and baby formula.

4. Babies who are left with sugary drinks in their mouths before naps or nighttime are especially susceptible to BBTD. This is because the flow of saliva decreases during sleep and the sugary drink is unable to be washed away. That drink then pools in the mouth and corrodes teeth.

5. Native Americans are especially prone to Baby Bottle Syndrome.
6. Soda is a big cause of BBTD among Native Americans. Often, soda is cheaper than bottled water. The sugar in soda corrodes teeth and if you drink too much, your teeth will decay.

BBTD AMONG NATIVES AGED 4-5

7. Tooth decay can start as soon as the teeth come in.
8. The decay can cause cavities, pain, crooked teeth, speech problems, and infection.
9. If it is not treated, the decay can cause the destruction of baby teeth.

10. There are many ways to prevent BBTD. Start with brushing teeth regularly and making sure that you don't drink too much sugar.

CONCLUSION

BABY BOTTLE TOOTH DECAY

• BBTD is caused by constant exposure to sugary liquids.
• That exposure causes baby teeth to start decaying and eventually rotting.
• BBTD, if left untreated, can cause pain, infection, speech problems, crooked teeth, and damaged adult teeth.

PREVENTING BBTD

• Brushing the infants teeth as soon as they appear.
• Not dipping her/his pacifier in honey or syrup.
• Not giving the child a drink to fall asleep with
• Making sure the child finishes the bottle before going to bed.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Broderick, E, et al. “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay in Native American Children in Head Start Centers.” Public Health Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1989, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1580288/.
• Johnson, Jordan. “Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth.” ADA Patient Smart, American Dental Association, 2014, www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/ADA_PatientSmart_BBTD.ashx.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Schlosser, Eric, and Charles Wilson. “Stop the Pop; Toothless.” Chew On This, Houghton Mifflin, 2017, pp. 145–150.
• “What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/what-is-baby-bottle-tooth-decay?_ga=2.24752....