Dental Care, Tooth Brushing, and Baby Bottles
By Dr. Brown
Dental Care and Hazards of Baby Bottles
Baby bottles are handy and sure are a lot less messy for grandma than a cup. BUT, they also represent a risk. Did you know that the leading cause of cavities in young children is prolonged use of the baby bottle?
Many children take on a security object after 15 months of age. Therefore there is a small window where removing the bottle is easiest psychologically speaking: between 12 and 15 months of age. Many times after 15 months the bottle becomes the transitional object and may be infinitely more difficult to discontinue.
We suggest the cup be introduced anytime after 6 months of age and completely replacing the bottle by 15 months. Some infants will not be great with the cup until around a year while others are competent at 6 months.
Regardless, here are a few other suggestions to insure good dental health.
1. Never have your child fall asleep with the bottle. It is best to finish up with feeding by at least 30 minutes before bedtime anyway. You will have fewer wet beds or over full diapers.
2. Never run or walk around with the bottle. When your youngster falls with the bottle in their mouth, the trauma to the mouth and teeth can be severe.
3. Never use the bottle in the crib, nor leave it for the child to find in the middle of sleep. Do not bottle prop as this is not safe.
Tooth Brushing
Tooth brushing can begin even when only one tooth is present. If you use toothpaste at all, we suggest the thinnest amount of toothpaste. Use a standard brush for children. Buy two brushes, one for the child to play with while you do the brushing with the other. Be sure it is Fluoride-free until about three years of age. Too much fluoride can permanently stain the adult teeth that begin to form under the gums.
Getting rid of the bottle after 15 months of age :
For those of you who are reading this after your child is already very attached to their bottle, here are some suggestions:
Make a concrete ceremony out of getting rid of the bottle. Ask the child what they want in their last bottle and when they are done, have them throw their bottle away in the trash. Tie up the trash with the bottle inside and have them help you take the trash out and wave goodbye to the bottle for ever!
Okay, now for the usual fall out from this: "I will not drink from a cup, I WANT bottle!" "Here is your cup honey" They throw it down and spill it. Next time the same show. Next time when they are thirsty, they say "fine!!" Some will not drink well enough for normal hydration and can become constipated too. Some refuse milk entirely. This may last a few weeks. They will come around. You can be smart and assure adequate hydration by offering juicy foods like applesauce, green beans, watermelon, etc. Do not substitute juice for milk. You know that juice has no protein, rarely enough calcium for a child's bones. Offer milk or water only until they have gotten over the loss of the bottle.
Good Luck!
Dental Care and Hazards of Baby Bottles
Baby bottles are handy and sure are a lot less messy for grandma than a cup. BUT, they also represent a risk. Did you know that the leading cause of cavities in young children is prolonged use of the baby bottle?
Many children take on a security object after 15 months of age. Therefore there is a small window where removing the bottle is easiest psychologically speaking: between 12 and 15 months of age. Many times after 15 months the bottle becomes the transitional object and may be infinitely more difficult to discontinue.
We suggest the cup be introduced anytime after 6 months of age and completely replacing the bottle by 15 months. Some infants will not be great with the cup until around a year while others are competent at 6 months.
Regardless, here are a few other suggestions to insure good dental health.
1. Never have your child fall asleep with the bottle. It is best to finish up with feeding by at least 30 minutes before bedtime anyway. You will have fewer wet beds or over full diapers.
2. Never run or walk around with the bottle. When your youngster falls with the bottle in their mouth, the trauma to the mouth and teeth can be severe.
3. Never use the bottle in the crib, nor leave it for the child to find in the middle of sleep. Do not bottle prop as this is not safe.
Tooth Brushing
Tooth brushing can begin even when only one tooth is present. If you use toothpaste at all, we suggest the thinnest amount of toothpaste. Use a standard brush for children. Buy two brushes, one for the child to play with while you do the brushing with the other. Be sure it is Fluoride-free until about three years of age. Too much fluoride can permanently stain the adult teeth that begin to form under the gums.
Getting rid of the bottle after 15 months of age :
For those of you who are reading this after your child is already very attached to their bottle, here are some suggestions:
Make a concrete ceremony out of getting rid of the bottle. Ask the child what they want in their last bottle and when they are done, have them throw their bottle away in the trash. Tie up the trash with the bottle inside and have them help you take the trash out and wave goodbye to the bottle for ever!
Okay, now for the usual fall out from this: "I will not drink from a cup, I WANT bottle!" "Here is your cup honey" They throw it down and spill it. Next time the same show. Next time when they are thirsty, they say "fine!!" Some will not drink well enough for normal hydration and can become constipated too. Some refuse milk entirely. This may last a few weeks. They will come around. You can be smart and assure adequate hydration by offering juicy foods like applesauce, green beans, watermelon, etc. Do not substitute juice for milk. You know that juice has no protein, rarely enough calcium for a child's bones. Offer milk or water only until they have gotten over the loss of the bottle.
Good Luck!