Baby bottle syndrome (BBS), also known as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood tooth decay, is the rapid decay of primary teeth in an infant or child due to frequent exposure for long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. The teeth most commonly affected by this syndrome are the upper front teeth, but other areas of the mouth may also be affected. Tooth decay usually starts at the back of the front teeth. Due to the area, it often goes unnoticed by parents because it cannot be seen. New teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay. However, there are genetic factors that make some children more prone to tooth decay at an early age. If teeth are affected by BBS, the results can range from developing tooth decay to losing baby teeth too early. The risk of losing primary teeth too early due to BBS is that the child may develop poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth and damaged adult teeth. Primary teeth are important because they are the gateway to adult teeth. If a tooth is extracted too early due to tooth decay, the adjacent tooth may move into the empty space. This causes the adult tooth, which develops later, to grow crooked or have a crowding effect, which will play a role in the child's smile. Sometimes the signs and symptoms of BBS go unnoticed in the child's mouth. Tooth decay can also occur as soon as the child's first tooth appears. Some signs and symptoms of BBS may include painful toothaches, swollen and/or bleeding gums, fever, caused by gum or tooth infections, tooth decay on the tooth/teeth, and white spots on the teeth due to demineralization of the teeth. White spots or lines on the teeth may appear very white and dull on the tooth. This is a sign that you may be developing...... middle of paper ......containing fermentable carbohydrates (e.g., juice, milk, formula, soda) increases the risk of tooth decay due to prolonged contact between sugars in the food consumed or liquids and cariogenic bacteria on sensitive teeth" (Marino, R). If decay in the tooth or teeth is evident, filling material or stainless steel crowns can be used to cover the tooth or teeth. However, when tooth decay has reached the pulp chamber, extractions or a pulpotomy procedure may be performed. In conclusion, baby bottle syndrome occurs when teeth are exposed to fluids with high sugar content. The most common cause of BBS is allowing your baby to sleep with a bottle that contains sweetened or sweetened liquids. By slowly diluting the fluid over a period of time, you will help reduce the amount of sugar in the fluid. If this continues, the child will eventually be able to drink plain water.