Can baby bottle tooth decay be prevented?
Definitely. Sometimes parents don’t realize that a baby’s teeth can decay soon after they appear in the mouth. By the time decay is noticed, it may be to late to save the teeth. You can prevent this from happening by following the suggestions below: • After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad. Begin brushing your child’s teeth when the first tooth erupts. Clean and massage gums in areas that remain toothless, and begin flossing when all the baby teeth have erupted, usually by age 2 or 2½. • Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids. • If your child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night, or during naps, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or physician. Never give your child a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid. • Avoid filling your child’s bottle with liquids such as sugar water and soft drinks. • If your local water supply does not contain fluoride (a subst
