I get what you’re saying, but I can’t help wondering if we’re maybe being a little too strict about the whole “no milk at night” thing. My cousin’s kid had a nighttime bottle for ages and never had a cavity. Maybe genetics or brushing habits matter more? I feel like it’s not always so black and white.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. My little brother kept his bedtime bottle way longer than most kids, and his teeth were fine—meanwhile, I had a mouthful of cavities and barely touched milk at night. It really does seem like there’s more to it than just the bottle thing. Maybe it’s part genetics, part luck, and part how well you brush... I dunno, I wouldn’t stress too hard if everything else is good. Sometimes the “rules” feel a bit much.
I get nervous about this stuff too, honestly. My dentist told me the bottle can be an issue if it’s milk or juice and they fall asleep with it, ‘cause the sugar sits on their teeth. But I also know kids who had bottles forever and their teeth are perfect. I guess I just try to brush my kid’s teeth before bed and not stress if we slip up sometimes. Feels like there’s only so much you can control, right?
I totally get the stress around this—sometimes it feels like one more thing to worry about when you’re already exhausted. My little one was glued to her bottle for ages, and honestly, trying to break the habit felt impossible some nights. I did worry about her teeth, especially since my dentist kept reminding me about the sugar thing, but then I’d see other kids who never had issues. Now, I just do my best with brushing and try not to beat myself up if we have an off night. Parenting is just a series of “good enough,” right?
Honestly, I used to stress way too much about the nighttime bottle thing too. My son was attached to his like it was a security blanket. The dentist’s warnings about cavities definitely got in my head, but missing one night of brushing isn’t the end of the world. I figure as long as most nights we’re brushing, it’s a win. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles, right?
