Process of early childhood tooth decay
The tooth decay process is also called ‘caries’. Early childhood caries is severe tooth decay that affects the baby teeth of young children. In the later stages, teeth have brown or black areas. The upper four front baby teeth are most commonly affected.
Other names used to refer to this condition include ‘nursing bottle caries’, ‘infant feeding caries’ and ‘baby bottle decay’. These names are used because the evidence suggests that early childhood caries can occur if babies are settled to sleep with a bottle of milk or formula (or other sweet drinks). Milk can pool in the mouth and the lactose sugar in milk feeds the bacteria that cause decay as the baby sleeps. Saliva flow is low during sleep, and so does not protect against the damage.
Early childhood caries might also occur if toddlers constantly sip on sweet drinks, such as fruit juices, cordials or soft drinks, during the day. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals.