Early Childhood Tooth Decay

This type of decay can occur when a bottle is misused as a pacifier for comforting an infant.  Any liquid with hidden sugars such as formula, sweetened and natural fruit juices, milk (even breast milk) or any sweetened liquid will mix with plaque (bacterial film in the mouth) to form an acid.  These “acids” attack the teeth after each feeding.  Therefore, there is a greater chance for decay.

To prevent this type of decay, avoid any sweet liquids in bottles.  Don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or at the breast.  Make sure that he or she swallows the liquid.  If your baby sleeps with a bottle, use only water.  Use toys, hugs, stories or rock your baby for comfort instead of using a bottle to pacify.  Do not share utensils or clean your baby’s soother by licking it, as you can pass on germs that can cause tooth decay.  Avoid dipping soothers in honey or any sweetened liquid.  Children should be taught to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday.