Simply don't let your baby go to sleep with a bottle or breast in his mouth. If you must put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill the bottle with water only. Never prop a bottle. Babies need healthy teeth for chewing food, developing clear speech, and growing healthy permanent teeth. When a baby has tooth decay, the permanent teeth grow in crooked or crowded.
Primary teeth are also very important for the child's self-esteem.
Children who have brown, decayed teeth feel bad about how they look. Before the first teeth erupt wipe your baby's gums with gauge or a washcloth after feeding. Brushing can start when the first tooth appears. Flossing should start when the first two teeth are erupted. Talk to your doctor or dentist about fluoride.