How to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

When a child drinks a sugary drink from a baby bottle for a prolonged period, the sugars in the drink combine with bacteria in a baby's mouth. This creates acids that begin to eat away delicate baby teeth. To prevent the occurrence of baby bottle tooth decay in your child, follow these simple steps.

Instructions

• 1

  Brush your baby's teeth and gums frequently. Use a soft baby toothbrush, wet washcloth or a piece of gauze. Dentists recommend brushing your baby's teeth and gums every morning, after each meal and at bedtime.

• 2

  Give your child a bottle only during mealtimes to minimize the use of the baby bottle. Don't use bottles as pacifiers or soothers between meals. This reduces the amount of time your child can suck on a baby bottle.

• 3

  Refrain from giving your child a bottle during naps or at bedtime. When a child sucks on a bottle while she sleeps, liquid collects around her baby teeth, causing tooth decay.

• 4

  Train your child to drink from a cup rather than a bottle. Cups don't allow liquid to collect around baby teeth. The transition to a regular cup, a cup with a straw or a sippy cup with a lid will help prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

• 5

  Minimize the amount of sugary liquids such as juice, milk, breast milk or formula that your child drinks from a bottle to prevent the decay of your baby's teeth.

• 6

  Use clean and dry pacifiers as baby soothers, not pacifiers moistened with sugary liquid, which allow the sugars to collect around baby teeth, causing tooth decay.

• 7

  Take your child to a pediatric dentist for preventative dental checkups or if you note any signs of baby bottle tooth decay.