Sometimes parents and other caregivers do not realize that a baby’s teeth can start to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Decay in infants and toddlers is called early childhood caries. It occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids such as fruit juice, soda, milk, breast milk and formula for long periods of time. Early childhood caries can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. It can even harm the adult teeth forming in the jaws.
The good news is that your child can avoid tooth decay. To help reduce the risk of tooth decay, babies and toddlers should finish their naptime and bedtime bottles before going to bed. Children should not be allowed frequent sips of sugary liquids from bottles or training cups, since this can also lead to decay