By what age should the bottle be weaned?

• A. 12 months
• B. 6 months
• C. 18 months
• D. 24 months

Answer: (A)

By about 12 months, a child is ready to transition from a bottle to a cup, and this timing helps protect developing teeth. Prolonged bottle use—especially with milk or sweetened liquids at bedtime—keeps sugars in contact with the teeth for long periods while the child is asleep, when saliva flow is reduced. That creates a prime setup for demineralization and early childhood caries on the newly erupted primary teeth. Switching to a cup by 12 months reduces this risk and supports healthier feeding habits. Waiting longer increases the opportunity for decay and makes weaning more challenging, whereas starting the cup transition around this age aligns with normal dental development and hygiene practices.