Breast-feeding infant tooth decay

Once your child has teeth, tooth decay can occur. Breast milk, infant formula, cow's milk and fruit juices contain sugar. Babies can have cavities because they go to bed with a bottle of milk, infant formula or juice, or in tétant asleep in their mother's mouth still full of milk.

Such cavities can occur until the age of four. Once your child has teeth, lift his lips and teeth check every month. Beware of spots or lines of a dull white that can form on teeth near the gums. Beware also of teeth darkening.

If any of these signs appear, go see your dentist immediately. We must deal quickly decay in young children. Otherwise your child may feel pain and catching an infection.


If you give a bottle of milk, infant formula or juice at bedtime, stop on the spot will not be easy. Here's how the Canadian Dental Association suggests you proceed:

Fill the bottle of water only.
If your child refuses, give him a lollipop own, a plush toy or blanket.
If your child cries, do not give up.
Comfort your child and try again.
If nothing works, try to dilute the milk bottle-feeding your child with water during a period of one to two weeks, until there is more than just water .