Babies are precious and just oh so kissable. But,if we have cavities we can pass them along to our little ones with mouth to mouth contact. Other seemingly harmless practices like sharing food, eating utensils, and cleaning pacifiers with our saliva can also spread cavity bacteria.
When we give our children bottles with milk, formula and other sweet liquids, the sugars feed bacteria and create acids that eat away at teeth and cause cavities.
We would never suggest you stop giving your baby formula, but what we are recommending is that you limit the amount of time their teeth are exposed to it.
When children sip on bottles for hours or fall asleep with them in their mouths,.their teeth marinate in a pool of sugary, cavity causing liquid. This increases the danger for their fragile little teeth.
We know you want to protect your baby's teeth and have some guidelines that will help:
1. Do not share utensils, food, or clean your baby's pacifier with saliva
2. When using a bottle to calm your baby, try warm water or something sugar free
3. If you want to give them a special sugary treat, use a sippy cup instead of a bottle
4. Clean your baby's teeth and gums with a damp towel or piece of gauze.
5. Don't dip pacifiers n anything containing sugar.
