• Wean a child from the bottle or breast by age 1.

• Use spill-proof cups as a transitional step in the development of children, not a long-term solution.

• Don't allow children to use spill-proof cups throughout the day. Save spill-proof cups for snack and mealtimes when increased salivary activity helps clean teeth.

• Drink sugary beverages through a straw. The best spill-proof cups to protect against decay are those with collapsible rubber straws.

• Introduce oral health care habits early. Wipe baby's gums with a damp cloth after every feeding. Introduce brushing with a soft-bristle brush and water when the first tooth appears. Parents can add a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste to the toothbrush by age 2.

Reviewed: January 2012