"Our dentist said it's the sugars sitting overnight that really do damage."
This is spot-on advice. It's not just the sugar itself, but the fact that saliva production slows down at night, meaning there's less natural protection against those sugars lingering on teeth. Bottle decay can sneak up so quickly because of this combination—reduced saliva and extended exposure to sugars.
We went through something similar with my youngest. Switching to cups earlier definitely helped, but we also started gently wiping his teeth with a damp cloth after nighttime feedings. It wasn't an instant fix, but it did noticeably slow down any further damage. I totally get how stressful it is trying to shift routines, especially when your kiddo's comfort (and your sleep!) is at stake. Small, consistent changes really do add up over time... you're doing great, and it'll definitely get easier.
"Switching to cups earlier definitely helped, but we also started gently wiping his teeth with a damp cloth after nighttime feedings."
This is good advice. We had a similar issue with my daughter, and our dentist gave us pretty much the same explanation about sugars and saliva. But I was still a bit unsure, so I ended up seeing another dentist for a second opinion (just to ease my mind). She confirmed the same thing—it's really the combo of sugar exposure and reduced saliva at night that's the culprit.
We tried switching to water-only bottles at bedtime first, but honestly, it was rough at first... lots of tears and disrupted sleep. Eventually, we found that gradually diluting the milk or juice with water helped ease her into it. It wasn't overnight, but after a couple weeks she was drinking mostly water without complaint. Also, brushing or wiping teeth before bed really did make a noticeable difference.
I know how frustrating this can be—especially when you're already exhausted and just trying to get through the night. Hang in there, you're definitely not alone in this struggle. Small adjustments really do add up over time.
We went through something similar with my son. The gradual dilution method you mentioned worked wonders for us too—definitely less stressful than going cold turkey. One thing I'd add is that our dentist suggested offering cheese or plain yogurt as a bedtime snack, since dairy can help neutralize acids and protect teeth overnight. Might be worth trying if your kiddo tolerates dairy well. Like you said:
"Small adjustments really do add up over time."
Totally agree, patience pays off in the end.
We did something similar with my daughter, and honestly, the dilution method was a lifesaver. I'd heard horror stories about going cold turkey—tantrums, sleepless nights, the works—so we took it slow. I was skeptical at first (I'm always worried about messing things up), but it actually worked out pretty smoothly.
Interesting point about the dairy snacks before bed. I've read mixed opinions on that...some dentists swear by cheese or yogurt because of the calcium and acid-neutralizing properties, but others caution that dairy can still linger on teeth overnight. I mean, I get the logic behind it, but I'm a bit paranoid about anything staying in her mouth after brushing. We've been sticking to just water after teeth are brushed, but maybe I'm being overly cautious?
One thing our dentist mentioned—he's pretty thorough and cautious himself—is that timing matters too. He suggested giving snacks like cheese or yogurt earlier in the evening rather than right before sleep. That way there's still time for saliva to do its job and clear things up a bit before bedtime brushing. But I don't know...maybe that's overly complicated? I sometimes wonder if I'm overthinking this stuff.
Has anyone else heard conflicting advice about dairy snacks at bedtime? I'm curious if it's just me getting anxious over nothing again...
"He suggested giving snacks like cheese or yogurt earlier in the evening rather than right before sleep."
Our dentist said something similar. She mentioned that dairy is great for neutralizing acids, but it's better if there's some buffer time before brushing. Honestly, I get your anxiety—I'm always second-guessing myself too. We've been doing cheese cubes or yogurt at dinner instead of bedtime snacks, and it seems to ease my worries a bit...though I sometimes wonder if I'm just overcomplicating things!
