The medical term “early childhood caries” refers to tooth decay in children 5 and under. Early childhood caries are sometimes called nursing caries or baby bottle tooth decay. Early childhood caries are common in the United States. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that almost 28% of children ages 2 to 5 have some form of tooth decay. It occurs most often in the upper front teeth but can happen in other teeth as well. Parents and caregivers should not ignore tooth decay in babies and toddlers. Early childhood caries can cause developmental speech delays and difficulty eating. It can also lead to infection, pain, and needless suffering for your child.