“Coke babies”: what is this phenomenon, which affects children under six?

Yasmina Kattou, edited by Solène Leroux 6:23 a.m., June 23, 2022, modified at 6:24 a.m., June 23, 2022

We call them "the Coke babies".

These are children under the age of six who have several teeth eaten away by cavities, because of the sugary drinks, such as sodas but not only, that their parents put in the bottles.

Several health professionals warn about this phenomenon, which materializes by small black milk teeth, instead of being white.

The cause ?

They are gnawed by the sugar, barely out of the gums.

It's the bottle syndrome, explains Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon.

“These are children who have a bottle that contains a sweet product available throughout the day,” explains the spokesperson for the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD).

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"It can be chocolate milk or more exceptionally, sodas. Unfortunately, it will lead to the appearance of very significant cavities", assures the specialist.

Water compress and fluoride toothpaste

Sometimes the roots of the teeth are affected, then everything must be extracted, but this is not without consequence, warns the dentist.

"These children will no longer have teeth in their anterior teeth and will only regain teeth around the age of six. They will therefore have difficulties both in eating and in speaking because of the absence of teeth. at the previous level."

In the youngest, it is necessary to limit the sugar as much as possible, but after the consumption of a sweetened milk for example, it is advisable for the parents to pass a compress soaked in water on the gums of the baby.

As soon as the first tooth appears, it is imperative to use a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.