It can harm their teeth and even cause them to get sick if the fluid inside the bottle goes sour. Here are some of the biggest dangers that your child may face if you leave a bottle with your child at bedtime.
Teeth Sit in The Liquid for Prolonged Periods of Time
The biggest problem kids face is what is commonly called bottle tooth decay. It is such a prevalent issue that it has its own name. Giving a child something to drink means that their drink is sitting in their mouth, right up against their teeth, the entire time that the bottle sits there. It slowly leaks out and continues to wash over the teeth, even when your child is asleep. This can cause cavities, break down the enamel of their teeth, and leave them with teeth that can hurt when they eat or drink.
The best thing for any parent to do is to hold their child while they are having a bottle, and put them to bed without anything. Having something in their bed at night just opens up a way for their teeth to become damaged, but it is totally unavoidable.
If you don't let your child sleep with something now, then keep it that way. However, if you have let this habit form, make sure to work hard to break it as soon as you can. Also, make sure you take your child to the dentist to make sure your child's teeth are clean and healthy despite an early bad habit.
Please contact our office if you have any questions about your child's oral health.