In the daytime, when your baby gets fussy, do you give the baby a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids as a pacifier or comforter? When putting your baby to bed for a nap or a night’s sleep, do you let your baby have a bottle of any of these liquids?

Both of these habits can lead to a pattern of serious, early tooth decay known as baby bottle tooth decay. This same condition can also result from prolonged demand breastfeeding.

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

This is a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. The teeth most likely to be damaged are the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected by this condition.

What causes baby bottle tooth decay? 

The disease is caused by the frequent exposure of a child’s teeth for long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, juice and other sweetened liquids. The sugars in these liquids are acted upon by bacteria in the mouth to form acids, which attack the tooth enamel. It’s not just what you put in the child’s bottle that causes baby bottle tooth decay, but for how often and how long a time – the child’s teeth are exposed to the decay-causing acids. That is why it is not advisable to offer your child a bottle containing these liquids many times a day as a pacifier. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night, can do serious harm to the child’s teeth.

How can I prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

• Avoid filling your child’s nursing bottle with liquids such as sugar water, honey or soft drinks.
• Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices or sweetened liquids
• If your child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night or during the day, give him a bottle of cool water instead.
• Clean your child’s teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad after each feeding. Begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts. Start dental visits from age 1 year.