Baby Bottle Mouth

Baby Bottle Mouth, also known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries, is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure to your child's teeth to liquids containing sugar. Among these sugary drinks is.... milk. Yes, you heard right, milk! Many mothers do not know how to care for their child's teeth. So, let's review!

Who Gets Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Every child is susceptible to tooth decay. You know that clear saliva drooling from your babies mouth from time to time? This is the culprit, and the problem comes at the wonderful time your baby falls asleep. Swallowing decreases and saliva production plummets. Any liquid left in your child's mouth during sleep continues to wear down the enamel. However, bedtime is not the only time this can occur. If you allow your child to run around during the day with a bottle in their mouth, this increases the exposure times to those sugars. 

What are the Symptoms of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

This decay strikes the most visible portion of the front teeth. This can be clearly seen if a mother is actively looking inside her child's mouth. However, the front teeth are not the only teeth affected. Any erupted tooth can be suspect to decay. This decay, if severe enough, can cause the child pain and if the decay continues further, can affect the permanent tooth sitting patiently below. 

What Does the Decay Look Like?

In the beginning stages, decay may be un-noticeable. Until the enamel is completely broken down decay is hard to detect. However, it is still there. Check daily for any white, yellow or brown spots on your child's teeth. These colors indicate how severe the decay may be. 

Healthy Smile

Beginning Stages of Decay

Mild Decay

Moderate Decay

Severe Decay

How Can Baby Bottle Tooth Decay be Prevented?

Tooth decay can be prevented by reducing the exposure times to liquids containing sugar. Do not put your child to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk! Moving the feeding time forward by even 15 minutes so that your child can finish eating prior to bedtime can significantly protect the teeth. Many children are only put to sleep by the comfort of sucking. Rather than a bottle, a pacifier is a better option. A bottle of water is also a good option. If your baby is in the habit of juice at bedtime, try diluting the juice with water. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics wisely recommends that parents only give bottles during feedings and not allow their children to carry a bottle between meals. 

I also commend the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendation to start cleaning your child's teeth at least once a day as soon as the teeth come in. Allowing your child to chew or suck on a tooth brush from an early age will help in the process of brushing.

Remember, follow a dental routine! We recommend seeing your children twice a year from the age of 2, if not before. This allows us to catch early decay before extractions or root canals are needed. Start healthy habits while your children are young. If you love to brush your teeth, so will they!

-A Healthy Body Starts With a Healthy Smile-

Dental Implants.. are you a candidate?

If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable or can't eat the foods you love, a dental implant may be the right option for you. Dental implants are the perfect long-term option to restore your beautiful smile! Yes, dental implants can be quite the investment, but an investment you won't regret!

Dental implants are made up of titanium and are well compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw to restore form and function to the mouth. It is important that you are in good health as some habits or diseases can affect whether the implant will fail. For example, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, cancer or radiation to the jaw, or uncontrolled periodontal disease. It is also important to let your dentist or oral surgeon know all medical conditions, medications or herbal supplements that you are taking prior to implant placement. 

Implant placement usually requires 2-3 steps and several months for completion. 

• First, the dentist surgically places the titanium implant into the jawbone. Sometimes, a bone graft is needed and placed around the implant to help fill in the missing bone. 
• Second, osseonintegration needs to occur and usually will take 2-4 months. What makes an implant so strong is that the jawbone actually grows around and holds it in place. The implant is integrated with the jawbone and becomes one.
• Finally, the abutment and crown are placed on the implant to restore the complete restoration. The abutment is a device that joins the crown to the implant itself. Once the crown is placed, the full dental implant should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

If you are missing several teeth, an implant bridge may be your perfect option. This requires placing two or more implants to replace three or more teeth. 

The procedure is the same as replacing a single tooth, and a bridge is joined onto the abutments. The teeth have been replaced and bone loss has been halted. 

If you are missing all teeth on the upper or lower jawbone, an implant supported denture can be made. Why is this a better option than just a denture? The denture itself is joined onto the implants and can be secured or made to be removable. This option makes chewing, eating and talking much more normal.

Dental implants differ from natural teeth in several ways. There are also a few perks of a dental implant that makes it the best long-term option! Teeth are susceptible to decay as well as the need for a root canal. Dental implants are metal and do not decay or need root canals. The surrounding gums of natural teeth are susceptible to Periodontal Disease while dental implants are susceptible to Peri-implantitis; an inflammatory response to bacteria. 

If you are interested in dental implants, it is important that you get a full oral evaluation by your dentist. Implants do require good oral health much like natural teeth. Your dentist will carefully monitor your implants for mobility and that the implant crown, bridgework or dentures are functioning properly. 

Dr. Liddiard is capable, confident and licensed in placing any dental implant you are in need of. A free consultation is waiting for you! Visit our website for more information!

-A Healthy Body Starts With a Healthy Smile- 

Do I Really Need a Root Canal??

Do I really need a root canal? Sounds painful! What is it all about?

First, let's review the basic anatomy of a tooth..

Teeth are "tough" on the outside. The outer enamel layer is to thank for this! Enamel is considered the hardest substance in the human body. With the constant chewing and daily acid attacks, this layer protects our teeth from wear and erosion. Inside the tooth is a soft core called a nerve chamber. The pulp chamber is made up of nerves and blood vessels that feed the tooth. Essentially, our teeth are considered a living thing, and, as with all living things, our teeth can "die". A tooth's nerve and pulp can become inflamed, irritated or infected due to deep decay, large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth or trauma to the tooth. Tooth trauma includes: grinding, clenching or facial trauma. Sometimes, a tooth can die for no apparent reason. This is usually a chronic process that occurs over several years.

In most cases, the patient is faced with two options; a root canal therapy or extraction. A root canal is considered a therapy and not a treatment and usually, this is the last ditch effort to save the tooth. A tooth treated with a root canal can last several years. However, sometimes a tooth can become re-infected and extraction is needed. If extraction is needed, an implant can be placed to restore form and function to the mouth. 

Upon diagnosing the need for a root canal, a radiograph (x-ray) is taken. The Dentist or Endodontist is looking for several things including; an abscess, inflamed periodontal ligament, deep decay, or a crack/fracture. 

Abscess formed at apex of root

Deep decay

Inflamed Periodontal Ligament

What are the signs that a Root Canal is needed?

• Severe tooth pain when chewing or pressure is applied
• Prolonged sensitivity/pain to hot or cold, even when the source is removed
• Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
• A persistent, recurring "pimple" near the pained tooth
• A dull ache that lasts several minutes to hours, or pain the persists throughout the night
• Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
• Facial swelling in the affected area

What does the Root Canal procedure consist of?

During the root canal, the diseased pulp is removed, cleaned and then sealed. The final step involves further restoration of the tooth. Because a tooth that needed a root canal is often times one that had a large filling or deep decay, a crown needs to be placed on the tooth to protect it, prevent it from breaking, and restore it to full function. The first few days after the root canal, the tooth may feel sensitive due to inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen can help soothe any pain. Most patients can return to their normal activities the next day, and state that the root canal itself was no more painful than getting a cavity filled. 

Saving your natural tooth is always the best option. Our dental staff can help discuss your options; we are always here to help you make the best educated decision for yourself!

-A Healthy Body Starts With a Healthy Smile-