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Link Between
Extended Bottlefeeding and Tooth Decay
Any parent can tell you that weaning a child from a
bottle can be difficult. For this reason, many delay
weaning and continue to bottle feed their children.
This may be easier, but it is not necessarily in the
best interest of the child. That is because research
indicates that there is a link between extended bottle
feeding and tooth decay.
A particularly dangerous habit to your child’s dental
health occurs at night. There is a definitive link
between extended bottle feeding and tooth decay in
children who are put to bed with a bottle. Many
parents put a child to bed with a bottle so that they
will not have to wake up with the child later in the
night. The problem is that liquid pools in the child’s
mouth, even when the child is not sucking. This can
soften the teeth and leads to dental problems. This is
a direct link between extended bottle feeding and
tooth decay.
Another link between extended bottle feeding and tooth
decay is the length of time your child uses a bottle.
Many experts now say that children should start
drinking from a cup around their first birthday. This
is because many children start to walk around with a
bottle in their mouth, whether they are thirsty or
not. Again, this allows formula or juice to pool in
the mouth, leading to tooth decay. The sugars in the
formula and juice can wear away the enamel on the
teeth, making them more prone to decay.
The link between extended bottle feeding and tooth
decay does not end there. Parents should never use the
bottle as a pacifier in order to soothe their child.
This not only teaches unhealthy eating habits at an
early age, but it also creates an unnecessary
dependence on the bottle. Children who are dependent
on a bottle are extremely difficult to wean, leading
to prolonged bottle use. In order to prevent tooth
decay, it is best to find other ways to soothe your
child well before it is time to wean your child
More and more studies by medical and dental
researchers establish the real link between extended
bottle feeding and tooth decay. For this reason, it is
best to start healthy bottle feeding practices early
in order to best protect your child from tooth decay
and weaning difficulties in the future.
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