Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Also called early childhood caries (ECC), bottle mouth, and infant caries, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child’s teeth come into contact too often with sugary snacks and drinks. This also includes milk and infant formula. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is committed to educating parents about helping their children develop good oral hygiene habits. The earlier good habits are instilled, the more likely children will maintain them through adulthood. 

 

The complications that arise from baby bottle tooth decay can be as severe as your child not developing speech properly. This is a serious problem since children are essentially sponges, taking in information and constantly learning. Baby bottle tooth decay can make speech development difficult with nasty infections and chronic pain. 

 

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by:

 

- Flossing your child’s teeth after they’ve all grown in

- Brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they start growing in

- Taking your child to regular dentist check-ups

- Encouraging healthy eating habits

- Limiting your child’s sugar intake

- Teaching your child how to drink from a cup at six months of age

- Weaning your child off the pacifier

- Wiping your infant’s gums after a feeding

 

Do you think your child could be suffering from baby bottle tooth decay? We can take a look at what’s going on and get your child started on a treatment plan. Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.

 

Extraction Site Preservation

Sometimes pulling teeth is a necessary procedure for overcrowding in the mouth or infection due to tooth decay. It isn’t a procedure to be taken lightly. Like wisdom teeth removal, where the teeth are located in the back of the mouth and sutures are used, the tooth extraction site essentially becomes an open wound and one that needs to be monitored and given time to heal. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, understands that getting a tooth pulled isn’t very pleasant, but she is committed to making the procedure and healing process as comfortable as she can for all patients. 

If you ever think your healing process doesn’t feel normal, you should contact our office. Signs of complications include:

- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

- Severe nausea or vomiting

- Redness, swelling, or excessive discharge from the extraction site

- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills

Something else to keep in mind when removing teeth is what to do with that open space once it has healed. If a tooth is removed and nothing is done to the extraction site, your jaw bone will degenerate and change shape while the site heals. This can create problems in your bite and may affect chewing and speaking. Make sure you and your dentist come up with a plan to fill this space.

Do you have questions about your extraction site? We are happy to address any concerns that may come up. Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.