Baby-bottle tooth decay and how to prevent it
9 August 2026 · 4 min read
Putting a baby to bed with a bottle is the most common cause of early, severe decay. Here's how to protect those first teeth.
How bottle decay happens
When a baby repeatedly or overnight sips milk, formula, juice or sweet drinks, the sugars bathe the upper front teeth. Bacteria turn the sugars into acid, which dissolves the enamel — first as white spots, then brown holes, often on the teeth you can barely see.
Habits that protect teeth
Finish feeds before bed, don't use the bottle as a pacifier, and move to a cup from around 12 months. If a feed before bed is needed, hold your baby for it and wipe the gums and teeth afterwards. Never put anything but milk or water in a bottle.
What to watch for
Look monthly at the upper front teeth for chalky white lines near the gum — the first sign of decay. Brown spots, broken edges or a child refusing cold foods need a dental visit right away. Early decay is reversible; advanced decay is not.
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