Really, I am surprised that the physicians haven't reported those parents for neglect. Bottle rot is NOT an accident. It's neglect. I recently had a foster child, age 9, who didn't own a toothbrush when he came to me. After MUCH painful dental work, he finally started brushing his teeth without being forced to (he used to run water over his toothbrush, watch his 2 minute timer run out, and never put the thing in his mouth). My son went through a months long period where he "wouldn't let me" brush his teeth, too. I literally held him down to do it (as his dentist recommended to me). It IS that important.

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