When juice or milk stays in the mouth while a baby sleeps, the sugars in the mouth become acidic and eat away the enamel of the teeth, making them easy targets for bacteria. In many cases, the damage must be corrected with dental surgery.

“I have seen 2- and 3-year-olds who have lost all 20 baby teeth because of baby bottle tooth decay. Then you have preschoolers who go without teeth until they are 5 or 6 years old,” says Michael Webb, D.D.S., chief of the clinical service of pediatric dentistry at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

“A child should be seen by a pediatric dentist, no matter how young that child is, if the parent thinks there could be a dental problem.”

Regular dental visits can help parents fight decay, yet a lot of parents forget about the dentist. According to a study published in Pediatrics, more than 46 percent of children do not go to the recommended two dental visits each year.

Even before your child’s first teeth appear, wipe milk or juice off the gums. As the baby gets older, take away the bottle as soon as possible. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends weaning an infant from the bottle by 1 year of age, and never put a baby in the crib with a bottle.

The AAPD makes these recommendations:

• Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first days after birth. Use a soft washcloth, and gently wipe along the gum.
• When teeth begin to appear, use the cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush without toothpaste.
• Discuss dental care and the appropriate age for your child’s first dental visit with your pediatrician.