Baby Bottle Blight Targets Teeth

Avoid juice, milk at night

(HealthDayNews) -- Baby bottle tooth decay is a major dental problem for kids under age three. So if you put your baby to bed with a bottle of juice or milk, you might want to reconsider the bedtime routine.

All through the night, the sugary liquid washes over your baby's teeth and eats away at the enamel. This causes decay that can lead to infection.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers these guidelines for preventing baby bottle tooth decay:

  • Don't let your children fall asleep with a bottle of juice or milk.
  • During the day, pour cool water into the bottle rather than sweetened liquid.
  • Never dip pacifiers in a sugary substance.
  • As your children approach their first birthdays, encourage them to ditch the bottle and switch to a cup.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com