Should I be concerned about Baby bottle tooth decay?

Healthy smiles start with healthy habits. Here’s how you can protect your child’s teeth from decay:

1. Avoid Saliva Sharing: Don’t share feeding utensils or clean pacifiers with your mouth—this spreads cavity-causing bacteria.
2. Limit Bottle Contents: Only use bottles for formula, breast milk, or milk. Avoid filling them with juice, sugar water, or soda. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises no juice for infants under 6 months and no more than 6 ounces per day for older children.
3. Keep Pacifiers Clean: Always use a clean pacifier—never dip it in sugar or honey.
4. Skip Bedtime Bottles: Don’t put your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice; sugars can coat teeth overnight and cause decay.
5. Use Bottles Only at Mealtimes: Limit bottle use to meals to reduce sugar exposure from prolonged sipping.
6. Clean Gums and Teeth Early: Gently wipe your baby’s gums after each feeding. Once teeth appear, brush twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
7. Start Flossing: When all baby teeth are in, begin flossing to remove plaque between teeth.
8. Encourage Healthy Eating: Cut back on sugary snacks and drinks in your child’s diet.
9. Schedule a Dental Visit: Book your child’s first dental checkup by their first birthday to help build lifelong oral health habits.

Here’s some more information about nutrition for your baby: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.