Tooth decay occurs from sugar being exposed to the teeth, or being stuck to the tooth or around teeth. Bottles that contain anything but water have the potential to cause decay in baby teeth. The most commonly affected teeth from bottles are the upper front teeth, but sometimes it can also affect the lower front teeth and the back teeth. It can be challenging to see when cavities begin forming, but when they are more advanced, the teeth start turning brown and chipping.

Avoid Doing These Things

• Dipping pacifiers in anything containing sugar (syrup, honey, juice)
• Putting juice or sugar water into a bottle
• Putting your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything but water (even milk has natural sugars that can cause cavities)
• Not wiping/brushing your baby’s teeth after a bottle of milk