Hey everyone, I was also a bit confused about the recommendation to restrict bottles to meal times only, so I did some digging and found some helpful info.
The main reason bottles should be limited to meal times is to reduce the risk of early childhood tooth decay. When children sip on milk, formula, or juice throughout the day (especially sugary drinks), their teeth are exposed to sugars for longer periods, which feeds cavity-causing bacteria. Even milk contains natural sugars that can contribute to decay if it's in constant contact with the teeth, especially during naps or bedtime when saliva flow decreases and doesn't help wash away sugars as effectively.
A good example is when kids are allowed to fall asleep with a bottle – it may seem harmless, but it can actually lead to "baby bottle tooth decay" over time. That’s why health professionals emphasize bottles during meals only, and ideally transitioning to cups as soon as possible.
I found this article on:
https://indentalcastlehill.com.au/ that also touches on several important oral health tips for young children. It's a good read if you're looking for simple, evidence-based recommendations for daily care.
Hope that helps! It's a tricky one, but once you understand the reasoning, it makes a lot more sense.
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