Answer to Q11.
In rare incidences, cases of dental caries have arisen from prolonged ad lib breastfeeding and inappropriate bottle feeding.
This is because both breastmilk and infant formulas contain sugars, either in the form of lactose, or in the case of soya infant formulas, glucose syrups. Any sugar-containing fluid has the potential to cause dental health problems but some protection against dental caries is provided by the calcium and phosphorus content of infant formulas as well as from the fluoride in the water used to make up the feed.
Most "feeding-bottle caries" has resulted from the misuse of diluted fruit juices and similar high-sugar liquids, not from breastmilk or infant formula.
Duration and frequency of feeding are important factors in preventing dental caries and babies should never be left alone with a bottle and should be encouraged to drink from a beaker or cup as soon as they are ready to make the change. Bottles should never be used as comforters.
Companies include reminders on packs about safe bottle feeding, but if concerned parents should also seek health professional or dental advice.