Baby Bottle Tooth Decay/Nursing Caries

Parents and caregivers are tempted at times to let infants sleep with a bottle. This behavior, however, can lead to harm for the baby’s teeth, as it allows juice or milk to remain on the infant’s teeth for hours, damaging the enamel. This condition is sometimes referred to as “bottle mouth” and is indicated by discoloration and pitting of the front teeth. In some cases, the resulting cavities may require the teeth to be pulled.

Those caring for young children should establish certain times for drinking during the day, and babies around six months of age can be encouraged to begin to switch from a bottle to a children’s cup.