Sugary food and drink left on the teeth produce acids that can erode the strong enamel of a tooth causing a cavity or decay.

Baby bottle tooth decay is also called early childhood caries and is commonly caused from prolonged exposure of your child’s teeth to sugary drinks from a bottle or sippy cup given at naptime or bedtime.  Bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugar and produce acids that attack the teeth.

Oral bacteria can also be passed mouth to mouth by sharing utensils and by using your mouth to clean your child’s pacifier before placing it in their mouth.

Preventing this decay is simple!

Help your child brush their teeth after meals, snacks and bottles to establish good home care habits and to remove food particles and debris.

Don’t give a child a bottle filled with sugary drinks or juices.  Reserve bottles only for feeding, not as a convenient sippy cup.

Don’t let your child go to bed with a bottle unless it contains only water.