Baby Bottles & Tooth Decay

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

It is caused by the frequent, long-term exposure of a child's teeth to sugary liquids. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. When a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks the teeth and gums, and tooth decay begins.

Tooth decay is also associated with breast-fed infants who have prolonged feeding habits or with children whose pacifiers are frequently dipped in honey, sugar or syrup.

How can I prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

• Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids.
• Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething.
• Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and surrounding tissues once a day.
• When brushing a child's teeth, use a soft toothbrush and a pea-shaped amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Take a child to the dentist for the first time when the child is between 12 and 18 months old.

How can I prevent baby bottle tooth decay?

• Gradually dilute the bottle contents with water over 2-3 weeks.
• Once that period is over, if you give a child a bottle, the only safe liquid to put in a bottle to prevent tooth decay is water.
• Decrease the consumption of sugar, especially between meals.
• Children should be weaned from the bottle as soon as they can drink from a cup.

Why should I be worried about baby bottle tooth decay?

• If left untreated, pain and infection can result from tooth decay.
• Severely decayed teeth may need to be extracted.
• The child may develop poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth, and damaged adult teeth.

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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