Nursing Bottle caries is a type of Rampant caries which is demarcated because of the age factor, Nursing Bottle caries is seen in Infants and Toddlers and Rampant caries is seen in any age and seen in both Primary and Permanent Teeth.
As the name suggests Nursing Bottle Caries is caused mainly due to the feeding habits seen in Bottle feeding, it was named and renamed many times before ending up with Nursing Bottle caries – Nursing caries, nursing bottle mouth, Nursing Bottle Syndrome, bottle propping caries, Night bottle syndrome, Baby bottle caries, Nursing Mouth, Nursing Bottle Caries, Milk Bottle Syndrome.
Mandibular Anterior’s are not affected in Nursing bottle Caries
Bovine milk and Human Breast milk have Lactose contents which are the cause for Nursing bottle caries, Nursing bottle directly blocks the salivary access to the tooth surfaces, thereby increasing the cariogenicity of the oral flora.
| Nursing Bottle Caries | Rampant Caries | |
| Type / Nature | Specific form of Rampant Caries, Acute Generalized spread of caries and pulpal involvement in selected teeth of Dentition | Acute, Generalized spread of caries and pulpal involvement in all teeth |
| Age | Infants and Toddlers | At any age, both primary and permanent teeth are involved and no specific teeth in particular |
| Cause / Etiology | Feeding Children with Milk Bottles while the child is lying down or sleepingBreast feeding whenever the child asks and at will for prolonged durations of time
Use of Pacifiers which are coated with Honey or any Artificial Sweeteners to stop the baby from crying It involves only the feeding factor |
Frequent intake of Sweet, Sugary and Sticky Food substances throughout the dayDecreased Water intake through the day and decreased Salivary flow
Genetic predilection if seen in parents or family members It is a combination of many factors coming together |
| Characteristic Features | Specific teeth are involvedMandibular Incissors are not affected at all (because of the constant flow of Saliva from Sub Mandibular gland and the constant cleansing movement of tongue tip) | No Specific teeth are involved as all the teeth are equally involvedMandibular incisors are also equally affected as the other teeth
Seen at any age, as Nursing Bottle caries is a type of Rampant caries, if seen in toddlers and infants it is called NBC and if seen after that age it is called as Rampant Caries. |
| Treatment | Treatment plan depends on the stage and time of detection and intervention by the parents and dentistIf Diagnosed at an early stage – Fluoride Application and Parent Education
Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy and Space Maintenance are decided based on the Signs/Symptoms until the Transition occurs Educating the parents about the feeding habits |
Treatment plan depends on the stage of interventionEarly intervention requires removal of Caries and restorations / Crowns depending on Stage of Tooth decay.
In case of Pulpal involvement -> Pulp therapy / Root canal treatment is Required Permanent Treatment options like Root Canal Treatment, Fixed partial denture or Extraction and replacements are done in case permanent teeth are involved |
| Prevention | It is seen in infants and toddlers hence educating the parents or new mothers is important to prevent Nursing Bottle cariesFeeding habits should be explained in detail:
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Rampant caries has many factors which are involved in leading to the disease.As Rampant caries occurs at any age, patient education to identify any carious lesions and get immediate dentist intervention.
Patient education with the help Camps or Community Centres |
Why are Mandibular Incissors not affected in Nursing Bottle Caries ?
Because of the constant flow of Saliva from Sub Mandibular gland as the Salivary duct opens here and the constant cleansing movement of tongue tip on the lingual surface of the lower incisors.
I want to know about radiation caries nd rampant caries….just wanna know basic differnce
One of the main differences between – Radiation caries and Rampant Caries is the Etiology. The findings are similar in both cases – The teeth which are thought to be less susceptible to caries are usually affected. The main Etiology is Xerostomia or lack of Saliva, in case of
Radiation Caries – The Xerostomia is caused primarily due to Radiation therapy where production of saliva is decreased.
Rampant Caries – There are multiple causes which can lead to Rampant caries such as – Radiation Therapy, Xerostomia (due to other reasons), Stressed children and certain Genetical causes. Certain food habits in children like – feeding through the night, sweetened pacifiers.
Radiation Caries is seen only in patients who are exposed to radiation while Rampant caries can occur in any age group but the most prevalent age group is 4-8 years and 11-19 years.
Is there any relation between maternal blood group or breast milk’s ingredients and nursing bottle caries?
That is a pretty interesting question, will look it up as discuss with others and let you know.
In general, Nursing bottle caries is caused due to feeding of milk through a bottle and due to the prolonged exposure of milk to the anterior teeth which are the most commonly affected teeth, caries is seen in such cases. But there can be a link between the breast milk ingredients to caries in cases where breast milk is given in bottles.
Hi my sons age is about 4 years. He lost all his front teeth due to caries. So can u please tell whether it effects to permanent teeth.
As there is still 2 years for the permanent teeth to erupt, it is important to make sure that the caries affected decidious teeth are not infected, as infected decidious teeth do not exfoliate by themselves which prevent the permanent teeth from erupting in the correct position.
What questions should ask for caries risk assessment in 8 years old child with rampant caries
Hello, thank you for your information, it’s very useful, but can i have a reference about this article? Any textbook or journal? Thank you
Thank you for your information, it is very useful. But can i know what is the reference? Any textbook or journal?