Douglas County Dental Clinic

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, also known as Early Childhood Caries, results from children falling asleep with a pool of sugary liquid in their mouths. The sugar in milk or juice creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which damage their teeth.

This process may lead to severe decay which can cause life threatening abscesses and a multitude of other oral health problems.

Here are some steps that parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can take to prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

• DO NOT put children to bed with a bottle.
• DO NOT use a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier during the day.
• Teach children to drink from a cup as soon as they are old enough to hold one. Most children can do this well before their first birthday.

Please contact the Douglas County Dental Clinic at 785-312-7770 if you have any questions or concerns about baby bottle tooth decay.