When can baby bottle tooth decay start?

As soon: As the baby has his/her first tooth so start to clean the teeth as soon as they appear. Do not put your baby down with a bottle filled with anything other than water as milk or other sugared liquids will bath the teeth in fuel for the bacteria that causes decay. Please brush and floss those baby teeth and make it a fun game(chase the sugar bugs). Let your child chew on a secured TB as a pacifier.

When teeth appear: As soon as your child starts to develop teeth around 6-7 months you must be careful that you do not allow your child to sleep with a bottle containing sugary substances including milk or fruit juices.

If there is a tooth: If there is a tooth their is a risk. Risk of decay is related to exposure to sugars (ie milk, juice, etc...) and time. So for example, the longer they have the bottle, like night time sleeping, the more risk of decay. Hope that helps. - dr. Jonathan neman.

Immediately : Baby bottle decay can start with the presence of food and teeth. If the babies teeth are not cleaned after each feeding, and the food is able to either pool or accumulate, you can be sure that decay will start to occur. It is best to start a routine of cleaning the food and drink from the child's mouth after each feeding to get them into the routine of good oral hygiene from an early age.

Establish a : consistent bedtime with a routine of reading, rocking, feeding & wiping out your baby''s mouth before putting her in her crib drowsy but awake by 4 mos. to avoid dental caries in erupting teeth at 5-6 months when procedural memory & learned behaviors begin. Sipping milk or juice from a bottle or Sippee cup ad lib is also a risk for tooth decay. Begin an open-mouth cup at the table at 11 mos.