There are multiple things that you can do to help keep your child's teeth free of decay. Here are a few of them:

Wean your child as soon as possible.

When a child sucks a bottle that contains milk or other sugary liquids, your little one's teeth are exposed to sugar for a prolonged period. Sometimes, a child finds his or her bottle so soothing that he or she may desire to suck on the bottle during naps or even at bedtime. This can incite a condition called baby bottle decay.

As your child rests, reflexes that are active when your child is awake, such as the swallowing reflex, subside. This allows milk, juice or other bottled liquids to pool inside your little one's mouth, bathing the teeth in a sugar.

The lactose in milk and the fructose in juice are food sources for oral bacteria. As the microbes consume the simple sugars, they excrete bacterial acid, which causes dental decay.

Once your child is weaned fully from the bottle, the source of tooth decay is eliminated. To protect your child as he or she is transitioning to a cup, only place water in your child's bottle. The water will help rinse plaque and particles of food from your child's mouth, and if tap water is used, the fluoride in the water will make his or her little teeth become more resistant to acid.

Choose a toothpaste that your child likes.

Once your child is able to brush his or her own teeth, you may be tempted to offer your little one your toothpaste. Toothpaste that contains fluoride should not be offered to children who are still young enough to have trouble spitting the paste out when brushing. In addition, the flavors associated with adult toothpaste are often too harsh for a child's mouth. This can cause your child to avoid brushing for the recommended two minutes.

Instead of choosing an adult toothpaste for your youngster, allow your child to help choose a toothpaste with a flavor that he or she enjoys. Children's toothpastes are usually mildly flavored and are available in flavors that most children like, such as strawberry or bubblegum.

Allowing your child to brush with a toothpaste that he or she enjoys can help ensure that the child brushes long enough to clean the teeth properly.

Give your child gum as an after-meal treat.

Instead of a traditional dessert, once your child is old enough to chew gum without swallowing it, offer him or her a piece of sugarless gum as a treat after eating. The gum can help pull bacteria and plaque from the teeth. In addition, it increases the production of saliva to wash away particles of food and dilute harmful acid.

To learn more ways to protect your child's oral health, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist in your area such as Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.