Baby bottle tooth decay is the result of damage to the tooth enamel caused by long-term exposure to almost any type of liquid aside from water. The sugars in such liquids – including cow’s milk, breast milk, formula, fruit juice, punches and gelatin – cling to teeth for a long period of time.

Bacteria feed on these sugars, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel for 20 minutes or longer after each meal. When children frequently suck on bottles or sippy cups, their teeth can undergo an almost constant process of decay.

Saliva is a protective fluid that helps to neutralize acids in the mouth and cleanse the teeth. Saliva production drops during sleep. If a child is allowed to fall asleep with a bottle of milk, formula or other sugary liquid, the protective effects of saliva on the teeth are reduced.

In most cases, prolonged sucking on a baby bottle is the primary cause of baby bottle tooth decay. However, breastfeeding continually throughout the night has also been associated with early childhood cavities. This is especially true if sugary foods or beverages are consumed in addition to breast milk. In fact, the combination of breast or bottle feeding and eating sugary foods may be more likely to produce tooth decay than merely drinking sugary beverages alone.

Mouth bacteria are an important component in the development of tooth decay. Bacteria normally reside in the mouth, but can also be passed from one person to another. Parents or caregivers can transmit the bacteria in their mouths to a child. This can occur if the parent pre-chews food or places a pacifier, bottle or spoon in the mouth before giving it to the child.