affects the teeth of some of our children. This problem is called Nursing Bottle Syndrome.

Nursing Bottle Syndrome is the early and very severe decaying of an infant's teeth. Usually the upper front teeth are affected, although sometimes almost all the baby teeth can be affected. It can be bad enough to cause rotting of the baby teeth so that only brown stumps are left. The child will also have experienced frequent toothaches and gum infections. This is why it is a serious problem.

You may have seen this condition in the mouths of some of the children that you know. People often assume that this condition is the result of soft teeth, and so believe that it cannot be prevented. In fact, the cause is quite simple. If a child drinks from a baby bottle frequently throughout the day or sips from a nursing bottle over a long time during the day, then the very serious cavities from Nursing Bottle Syndrome are likely to develop. The worst situation occurs when an infant is put down to sleep with a baby bottle. Any liquid that contains sugar can cause these cavities. This includes baby formulas, juices, milk and others.

As Nursing Bottle Syndrome affects only baby teeth, you may wonder why it is a problem. Because baby teeth are eventually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, you may think that it is not important to look after them. There are many reasons to look after baby teeth. The baby teeth are needed to help guide the permanent teeth into their correct position and so help prevent crowding of the permanent teeth. Crowded teeth will probably look unattractive and can affect your child's self-confidence. Crowded teeth are also more difficult to clean and so may develop cavities or gum disease more easily. Also, if baby teeth are allowed to decay, then pain and infection will develop. This will require treatment either with large fillings or with extractions. Such an unpleasant introduction to dentistry can turn a child off of dental visits for life. Let's take the easy steps to avoid these problems, and give our children the confidence that comes from a healthy smile.

Because of Nursing bottle Syndrome is quite simple, preventing this serious problem is also simple. In order to make sure that your child, grandchild, or any child whose care you are involved in, does not develop the serious cavities of Nursing bottle syndrome, you merely need to follow these simple guidelines: 1: Never use a Baby Bottle for anything but feeding. Do not let your child walk around with a baby bottle. Give them the bottle only at regular feeding time and take it away when the child is finished. If your child needs liquid in a bottle for thirst-quenching, give only plain water.

2: Never give a child a bottle at night to fall asleep with unless the bottle contains only plain water.

3: Wean your baby from the bottle by nine months to one year of age.

4: If your baby uses a pacifier, never dip it in honey or molasses.

5: Start cleaning your baby's teeth after each feeding, as soon as the teeth appear in the mouth. You can use a soft moist washcloth at first, and switch to a toothbrush after several teeth have appeared. Use a very small amount of toothpaste.

6: Make sure that your baby joins the free Government Fluoride Programme. Your local Baby Clinic will help.

Remember, it is simple to prevent Nursing Bottle Syndrome and to help ensure that your child can show off a happy healthy smile.

Just about any child today can grow up without suffering from tooth decay.

Many children in Bermuda are reaching their teenage years without ever having had a cavity. Results from screening exams suggest that the level of Nursing Bottle Syndrome is higher among children from the Portuguese community in Bermuda. There is no reason for this to be true. Taking the simple steps that we have discussed will completely eliminate this problem. Make sure that your child is among those with great dental health. Also, if you have a friend that would benefit from what you have heard today, be sure to share this information with her. J. Lightbourne Chief Nursing Officer Dept. of Health and Social Services.