Infants and Young Children
Infants and young children rely completely on parents or carers in regard to diet and oral health habits. Newly emerged teeth are particularly vulnerable to dental decay. As teeth get older and become more mature, the outer surface becomes harder and more resistant to acid attack.
Decay on the top front teeth often occurs when children have been bottle-fed for an extended period. When a child has unlimited access to a bottle containing milk, sweetened drinks or fruit juices, prolonged acid attack occurs. If the bottle is left with the child at bed time, the rist of decay is increased. Acids forming in the mouth of a sleeping child are washed away at a slower rate. It is preferable to change from the bottle to a cup or feeding mug as early as possible.
Avoid:
- long feeding periods during day or night
- sweetened drinks or fruit juices in bottle, or sweetened dummy
- bottle left with child at night
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