Jorge
Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 14/01) - Baby bottle tooth decay is widespread in Dogrib communities according to two dental therapists who have written a booklet that they hope will combat its spread.
According to Angie Ransom, dental therapist in Edzo, 50 per cent of children from two to six-years old in Rae-Edzo, Wha-Ti, Wekweti, and Rae Lakes, have bad teeth and gums because they use baby bottles for too long and drink sugary drinks like pop from them.
"Some children carry the bottle in their mouth constantly," said Ransom.
Even the sugar in milk will start to eat away at the teeth if a child is constantly sucking on a baby bottle, she said.
Ransom and Rae dental therapist Angela Doiron put together an information booklet, due out this week, to distribute throughout all four communities. It explains what baby bottle tooth decay is and how it can be avoided.
"Baby bottle tooth decay is when tiny cavities form on the front surface and in between the teeth, just after teething," said Doiron.
According to Ransom the cavities can trigger gum infections in the form of small sores which can be very painful. Ransom said studies have shown that baby bottle tooth decay is linked to stunted growth because of its affect on diet.
"They don't have enough teeth to eat and it hurts, and the diet deteriorates," said Ransom.
Ransom also said it affects a child's mental health, the pain making the child irritable and tired.
Baby bottle tooth decay also hinders the development of language. A child depends on their front teeth when learning to sound out words, without them a child develops a speech impediment.
"It's normal for children here in grade one to have no teeth," said Ransom. "There's a very serious oral hygiene issue,"
The booklet, written in Dogrib and English, outlines ways to keep a child's teeth healthy.
The booklet suggests wiping a baby's teeth and gums with a damp washcloth, not allowing the child to go to bed still sucking a baby bottle and to trade the bottle for a tippy cup at the age of one.
The photo on the booklet cover depicts two rows of teeth badly scarred by cavities and infected gums.
Doiron and Ransom began the project last September on a $5,000 grant from the territory's Department of Health and Social Services.
Ransom has sent 30 children to Yellowknife for dental work connected to baby bottle tooth decay.
The cost of sending one child to Yellowknife for dental treatment runs about $3,200.
Lori Haeufler, dental program consultant for the Department of Health said a lot of children make more than one trip.
