Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

(HealthDay News) -- Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by prolonged contact with almost any liquid other than water. The condition can stem from putting your baby to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, juice, soda or other soft drink, or by allowing your baby to suck on a bottle or breast-feed for a prolonged period, either while awake or asleep.

Take these steps to help prevent decay, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics:

· Never put your child to bed with a bottle.
· Only give your baby a bottle during meals.
· Teach your child to drink from a cup as soon as possible, usually by age one.
· Keep your baby's mouth clean.
· Use water and a soft child-sized toothbrush for daily cleaning once your child has seven to eight teeth.

By the time your toddler is 2, you should be brushing his teeth once or twice a day, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime. Once you are sure your child will not swallow toothpaste, you should begin using one that contains fluoride.


The information in this article, including reference materials, are provided to you solely for educational or research purposes. Information in reference materials, are not and should not be considered professional health care advice upon which you should rely. Health care information changes rapidly and consequently, information in this article may be out of date. Questions about personal health should always be referred to a physician, dentist or other health care professional.