The 1st Tooth Crosstalk | Episode 4 | Feeding, Habits & Early Tooth Decay: Preventing "Bottle Caries" - Video

Published On 2026-04-21T10:15:58+05:30 | Updated On 21 April 2026 11:00 AM IST

Overview

In this video, we are joined by two pediatricians - Dr Mohammad Taqui Imam and Dr Suman Mishra - along with dentist Dr Sachin Kumar, all from Patna. Together, they shed light on Feeding, Habits & Early Tooth Decay: Preventing "Bottle Caries". Early childhood caries (ECC), especially bottle caries, is an increasingly common problem among young children. It is strongly linked to feeding practices such as night-time bottle use, prolonged sipping, and frequent exposure to sweetened liquids.

Many parents underestimate its impact, assuming milk teeth are temporary, but early decay can affect a child’s overall health and development. In this discussion, our experts break down the causes, early warning signs, preventive strategies, and the importance of building healthy feeding habits from infancy.

They discuss the following questions:

1. What feeding habits most commonly increase the risk of early tooth decay in infants?

2. What exactly is early childhood caries (ECC), and how can it be explained simply to parents?

3. Is breastfeeding protective, or can it also contribute to caries risk in certain situations?

4. What are the earliest clinical signs of ECC that parents and pediatricians must not miss?

5. What counselling points should pediatricians give during 6 - 12 month visits to prevent caries proactively?

6. How should parents safely transition from bottle feeding to cup feeding, and by what age ideally?

7. Which toothpaste is preferred for infants/toddlers, and what is the guidance on fluoride use, quantity, and safety?

Speakers

Suman Mishra

Dr Suman Mishra is a Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Allergy Specialist, currently serving as HOD at Medipark Hospital, Patna. She holds MBBS, DCH, DNB, and DPAA qualifications and is an IAP-certified ALS/BLS instructor and an IAP-NNF NRP instructor, as well as Secretary of the IAP NRC Bihar State Branch.

Dr Mohammad Taqui Imam

Dr Mohammad Taqui Imam is a pediatrician currently working at M.S.M. Hospital, Phulwari Sharif, Patna, and also runs Dr Imam Mother and Child Care Clinic in Anisabad, Balammichak More, Patna. He completed his MBBS from Al-Ameen Medical College and MD in Pediatrics from Katihar Medical College, Katihar.

Dr. Sachin Kumar

Dr. Sachin Kumar is an MDS in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, practicing at Dr. Sachin’s Dental in Ashiana Digha, Patna since 2020. He completed his master’s from SRM, Chennai (2015), and has special interests in painless single-visit root canals, smile designing, and dental implants.

Dr. Nandita Mohan

Dr. Nandita Mohan is a practicing pediatric dentist with more than 5 years of clinical work experience. Along with this, she is equally interested in keeping herself up to date about the latest developments in the field of medicine and dentistry which is the driving force for her to be in association with Medical Dialogues. She also has her name attached with many publications; both national and international. She has pursued her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and later went to enter her dream specialty (MDS) in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Through all the years of experience, her core interest in learning something new has never stopped. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751