Letting a baby fall asleep with a bottle helps them settle but can cause early tooth decay. Understanding why and how to prevent it helps parents protect their child's baby teeth.
- Sleeping with a bottle lets milk pool around the teeth while the baby makes less saliva, so baby teeth decay easily, especially the upper front teeth.
- Chalky white marks near the gum turning brown or black, small holes, or a child who cries or is sensitive to food are signs to see a dentist.
- Do not let your baby sleep with the bottle, wipe teeth and gums after each feed and teach drinking from a cup to prevent decay.
- Take your child for a check as soon as the first tooth comes in to get proper care advice.
Many parents let their baby fall asleep with a bottle to help them settle. It is convenient, but it is one of the common causes of early decay in baby teeth. This article explains why and how to prevent it.
Why does night-time bottle feeding cause decay?
Milk and sugary drinks pool around the teeth while the baby sleeps. At night a baby swallows less and makes less saliva, so the teeth are not washed clean naturally. Bacteria use the sugar to make acid, which wears down enamel and causes decay. It often appears on the upper front teeth, where milk collects most.
Signs your child's teeth are affected
- Chalky white marks near the gum that later turn brown or black.
- Small holes and enamel that wears away.
- The child complains of sensitivity or pain with hot, cold or sweet food, or cries.
- Broken or chipped teeth once decay is severe.
If you see these signs, take your child for a check soon. See do decayed baby teeth need fillings.
How to prevent decay from bottle feeding
- Do not let your baby sleep with the bottle. If your baby needs a feed, finish it and then wipe the teeth.
- Wipe the teeth and gums after each feed with soft clean gauze, and brush once teeth have come in.
- Put only milk in the bottle and avoid sweet drinks or juice.
- Teach drinking from a cup when your child is old enough and wean from the bottle gradually.
When should my child first see a dentist?
Take your child for a check early, as soon as the first tooth comes in, to get proper care advice. See when should a child first see a dentist and decay in children: what parents can do. When your child starts losing teeth, see what to know when children lose baby teeth.
Children's dental care at Ky Hoa
For health insurance coverage for children, see the health insurance dental page.
Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can bring your child in during working hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 (Zalo 082.299.3377) to ask about quieter hours first.
Frequently asked questions
Is it harmful to let a baby sleep with a bottle?
It can be, because milk pools around the teeth during sleep and the baby makes less saliva, which makes decay likely, especially on the upper front teeth. Finish the feed and then wipe the teeth.
What should I do if bottle feeding has caused decay?
Take your child for a check soon. Depending on severity, the dentist may fill the tooth, treat the pulp of the baby tooth or pull it if it is too badly damaged.
When should I wean my child from the bottle?
Teach drinking from a cup when your child is old enough and wean gradually. The key point is not to let the baby sleep with the bottle.
Does a baby with no teeth yet need mouth care?
Yes, wipe the gums with soft clean gauze after feeds. When teeth come in, start brushing gently.