KARACHI, Dec 9: Parents have been warned to pay special attention towards the health of their infant’s teeth at the time of eruption.

“Once teeth have erupted, bacteria can produce acid from the sugars that are present in the diet. Frequent sugar intake and sugary foods that remain in the mouth for a prolonged period of time are the primary causes of tooth decay,” said Prof Dr Furkan of the Karachi Medical and Dental College, while talking to PPI.

He said it was vital to avoid allowing the baby develop habit of sleeping with a bottle at night; the bottle should be used for feeding purposes only and not as a pacifier.

Emphasizing the need from maintaining a well-balanced diet, he said that the severe form of tooth decay called “nursing caries,” which results from the improper use of the bottle, could occur with improper breast-feeding practices as well.

He said once teeth had erupted it was important to follow a reasonable feeding schedule and avoid prolonged feedings, such as allowing the infant to nurse all night, which could occur while sleeping with the infant.

“Between three and six months of age, you will be gradually introducing your baby to solid foods. Dietary habits are established during the first few years. Choose foods carefully and avoid those that contain large amounts of added sugar. Vegetables and fruits contain all the natural sugar a baby needs. The ingredients listed on commercial baby food labels appear in order of usage. It is easy to select store-bought foods that do not include added sugar as a major ingredient. It is not necessary or desirable to add sugar to baby foods. If you prepare your own baby foods, do not add sugar or salt,” he said.

Prof Furkan informed that snacks for toddlers and older children should be low in sugar and should not include sticky foods that remained in the mouth for long periods of time, such as chewy candies and raisins.

He said foods like vegetables, fruits, cheese and unsweetened fruit juices were accepted by children who had not formed the habit of eating snacks.—PPI