Early childhood cavities are often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It is serious teeth disease caused by unhealthy habits like allowing the baby to sleep with a bottle or allowing the baby to sleep while nursing and by letting toddlers roam around the room with their bottle. If not treated immediately, early childhood cavities may lead to more serious teeth problems like crooked permanent teeth, tooth decay, tooth loss, ear and speech problems and worst of all it may lead to your child's poor self-image. To avoid any of these from ever happening to your child, it is best to follow a few of this tips and advices.
Tips for your child not to sleep while nursing
Rock or hold your child while he or she is sleeping rather than allowing him to sleep with the bottle placed in his mouth.
Do a short story telling that will make your child feel sleepy and lead him to sleep.
Massage your child's back so he or she will feel more relaxed thus allowing him to sleep even without nursing.
Listen to melodious music or sing for your child in order to appease his or her mind and bring him to sleep.
Purchase a teddy bear or doll which will act as your child's security blanket while sleeping.
Tips to prevent early childhood cavities
The first teacher of your child is no less than you, their parents so it is best to begin teaching your child how to use a cup even if he or she is just six to twelve months old. In doing so, you are helping him or her refrain from using baby bottles and falling asleep with it. As soon as he or she reaches the age of one then his or her baby bottle should already be replaced with a training cup.
If your child finds it difficult to sleep without the bottle then it is best you fill it up with water rather than juice, milk, chocolate or sugar water. The less sugar contained in his mixture the less prone he will be from acquiring early childhood cavities.
Start a regular check-up with his dentist so he can thoroughly check the growth of your child's teeth.