Tooth decay in infants

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34146, 6 May 1976, Page 6

Tooth decay in infants

(N.Z Press Assn —Copyright) BOSTON. A bottle of warm milk or juice may help a baby to fall asleep, but it can cause serious tooth decay and a lifetime of dental problems, a specialist in child dentistry says, according to United Press International.

“If a baby must have something to drink before bed, let it be water,” Dr Manouch Darvish told a meeting of the Massachusetts Dental Society. Dr Darvish said milk, juice and other carbohy-drate-rich liquids will remain in a baby’s mouth, causing serious harm to newly-formed teeth. “I’ve had to extract teeth from 14-month-olds,” said Dr Darvish, a member of the staff at Worcester Memorial Hospital. He said baby food is less ■hazardous than most liquids because it usually contains less sugar. Dr Darvish said extensive decay to- primary teeth can cause problems in swallowing and speech which can affect a youngster’s personality. The' same child is also more likely to experience decay and recurring dentaL problems as an adult, he said. He said the onset of decay in infants is signalled by yellowish patches on the front teeth near the gumline and urged parents to take their child to a dentist to have the cavities filled as soon as the signs appear.