Should decayed baby teeth be treated even though they will fall out?

Yes. Baby teeth guide the growth of permanent teeth and maintain space in the arch: neglected decay can cause pain, infection and future alignment problems.

At what age should a child first see the dentist?

The Italian Ministry of Health guidelines recommend early check-ups: we advise a first visit in the very first years of life, when the first teeth appear, mostly to educate parents on good habits.

Is fruit juice better than milk in the bedtime bottle?

No: juices also contain fermentable sugars. Only water belongs in the bedtime bottle.

Baby bottle tooth decay: what it is and how to prevent it

Baby bottle tooth decay (early childhood caries) affects the milk teeth of children aged 0–3, often the four upper incisors. We see it more often than you might think — and it is almost always preventable with a few good habits.

Why it happens

The main cause is prolonged contact between teeth and sugary liquids: milk, sweetened chamomile or juices left in the bottle at bedtime. During sleep, saliva decreases and sugars stay in contact with the enamel, feeding the bacteria that produce decay-causing acids.

How to recognise it

The first signs are chalky white spots near the gum line of the upper incisors. Left untreated, they turn brown and then become real cavities, with pain and difficulty eating in advanced cases.

The golden rules of prevention

Never use a bottle to fall asleep with milk or sugary drinks: if needed, water only.
No honey or sugar on the dummy, ever.
Clean the gums with a damp gauze from the first months, then brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth.
An early first dental visit, in the very first years of life as national guidelines recommend: it is education for parents, not a treatment.
Fluoride prophylaxis and sealants when indicated.

If decay is already there

Don't panic: with young children we treat lesions with a gentle, playful approach, and for very anxious little ones we can use conscious sedation. What matters is acting early: neglected decay can affect the permanent tooth forming underneath.

If you notice spots on your child's teeth, call us: an early visit is the greatest gift you can give their smile.

Sources

World Health Organization (WHO), Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children, 2015 — recommends limiting free sugars to under 10% of energy intake (further benefit below 5%).
WHO, Oral health fact sheet — caries and periodontal disease prevention: daily hygiene with fluoride toothpaste and reduced sugar intake.
Italian Ministry of Health, National guidelines for the promotion of oral health and prevention of oral disease in childhood — prevention, fluoride prophylaxis and early check-ups for children.