Are sippy cups and pacifiers really bad for childrens teeth?
They can be; it all depends on how they are used, the frequency of use and for how many years they are used. One of the reasons for the age 1 visit is to examine the child for a number of forms of tooth decay that can affect babies and small children. For many years, healthcare professionals have recognized a specific pattern of decay, known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD). BBTD was primarily associated with the use of a sleep-time bottle containing a liquid with natural or added sugars such as formula or juice and occurred between 12 to 18 months of age. In the past few years, similar cases of early and severe tooth decay have been found in children who do not fit the classic BBTD pattern of bottle use. The term Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is now being used to more accurately express this concept of tooth decay in infants and young children. ECC includes cavities associated with many causative factors, mostly sugars. These include continuous use of a sippy cup, at-will breast-feedi
