Is your baby comforted by a bottle just before going to sleep? Do you let your baby keep a bottle in his or her bed overnight?

Despite our best intentions, we as parents are sometimes unaware of dangers that may be affecting the health of our little loved ones. And yes, I do say we, as I am currently trying to figure out how to put my new baby to sleep once she cuts her first teeth.

Statistics show that too many parents put their baby down with a bottle at night. This can be detrimental to the health of your child's primary (baby) teeth. It is a common misconception for parents to believe that "They are just baby teeth, they will fall out anyway, so it doesn't really matter." The truth is that your toddler will likely have the majority of his or her baby teeth for another eight or nine years!

So what is the big deal?

The contents of your baby's nightly bottle are likely filled with some type of sugar or carbohydrates. The most common offenders are juice, breast milk, formula, milk or even soda. The problem arises when these sugars are left on the teeth for prolonged periods of time without cleansing, which can lead to major tooth decay issues.

Prevention

Your baby's teeth are no different from yours. They need to be brushed twice daily — especially right before bedtime. If a bottle is the only way to put them to sleep, try water.

Remember that the time to take your baby to see the dentist is as soon as he or she cuts a first tooth. This is more for the parent's benefit than anything else. I will always perform a free consult for new mothers to sit down and discuss the most common issues that may arise from taking care of your child's teeth and well-being, so don't hesitate to ask. Your child's first visit (under age 4) is free at North Shore Family Dentistry, so there's no reason not to visit.

This information may sound scary, but armed with the correct knowledge, you can fully protect your child's teeth and keep them healthy.

Dr. Brett DeCoursey was born and raised in central Arkansas. He graduated from Catholic High School in Little Rock and attended the University of Arkansas. After graduation, he went on to obtain his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Louisiana Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry and completed a one-year residency. He and his wife, Cassandra, have one daughter, Alexandra.