Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

What is it?

Baby bottle tooth decay, sometimes called Baby bottle syndrome, is a form of tooth decay that usually affects children before the age of 2 years.  It can destroy the teeth.  Baby bottle tooth decay often occurs in the upper front teeth, but it may also affect other teeth.

What are the causes?

The usual cause of baby bottle tooth decay is when your child is allowed to sleep with a bottle filled with sweetened liquids, like fruit juice, milk, and formula.  When your child is asleep, there is less saliva to wash the sugar out of the mouth.  The sugars in the liquids help the bacteria in the mouth form acids that attack the teeth.  Every time your child drinks sweetened liquids, these acids attack for 20 minutes or longer.

How can I prevent it?

• Wipe the baby’s gums with a clean washcloth or gauze pad after each feeding.  Begin brushing your child’s teeth when the first tooth erupts.
• Avoid juice, milk, formula or sweetened drinks in the bottle at naptime or bedtime. If your child needs a comforter at these times, give your child a clean pacifier or a bottle filled with cool water.
• Introduce liquids from the cup between 6-9 months of age and wean your child from the bottle by their 2nd birthday.
• Start regular dental visits by your child’s first birthday.  If you think your child has dental problems take the child to the dentist as soon as possible.