8. How can parents decrease the risk of early-childhood tooth
decay? The AGD offers these suggestions: - Wean a child from
bottle to a cup by age one. - Never allow a baby to fall asleep
with a bottle containing anything but water. - Bring a child to
the dentist between six and 12 months. - Use spill-proof cups as
a transitional step, not a long-term solution. - Only allow a
child continual access to spill-proof cups throughout the day if
they contain water—save juice and milk for snack and mealtimes
when increased saliva activity helps to clean teeth. - Drink
sugary beverages through a straw; the best spill-proof cups are
those that have collapsible rubber straws. - When your child is
around age one, gradually dilute bottle contents with water over
a period of two to three weeks—then fill bottles with only water
or give a clean pacifier recommended by dentist. Water is the
only safe liquid to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. 9. How
should I clean baby teeth? Wipe the baby's gums with a clean
gauze square aft