Your family dentist in Cedar Rapids, IA, can safeguard your child’s smile.

Your baby is special, and your baby’s smile is special too. That’s why you should never put your baby to sleep sucking on a baby bottle. It can cause a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay.

Dr. Amy Stodola and Dr. Renee Maikon at Family SmileCare Center offer family dentistry services in Cedar Rapids, IA, to care for all the members of your family.

Baby bottle tooth decay is a condition caused by bacterial acid that causes extensive tooth decay. The continual flow of liquid provides a constant source of acidic fluid, causing your child’s teeth to decay.

Your child’s first set of teeth, the primary teeth, have an important function. They save space for permanent teeth. When the primary teeth are removed because of baby bottle tooth decay, there is a good chance the permanent teeth will be affected too.

Baby bottle tooth decay isn’t the only problem caused by baby bottles. They can also cause problems with the alignment of your child’s teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, baby bottle usage should be stopped when your child is 12 to 18 months old.

Sometimes teeth that are severely decayed can be saved with stainless steel crowns. In other cases, the teeth have to be removed. If you suspect your child might have baby bottle tooth decay, there is no time to lose. book a visit with your family dentist right away.

You can do a lot to prevent baby bottle tooth decay by not having your child use a baby bottle extensively. Be sure to have your child visit the dentist regularly, to help diagnose and treat any dental problems, including baby bottle tooth decay.

To learn more about caring for your child’s smile and how your family dentists in Cedar Rapids, IA, can help, call Dr. Stodola and Dr. Maikon of Family SmileCare Center at (319) 362-8657 today!