Dental caries in toddlers and infants has a distinctive pattern. Different names and terminology have been used to refer to the presence of dental caries among very young children. The definitions first used to describe this condition were related to etiology, with the focus on inappropriate use of nursing practices. The following terms are used interchangeably: Early childhood tooth decay, early childhood caries, baby bottle-fed tooth decay, early childhood dental decay, comforter caries, nursing caries, maxillary anterior caries, rampant caries, and many more. Some of these terms indicate the causes of dental caries in pre-school children. Baby bottle-fed tooth decay refers to decay in an infant's teeth, associated with what the baby drinks. However, some authors use the term “nursing caries” because it designates inappropriate bottle use and nursing practices as the causal factors. However, the term “early childhood caries” is becoming increasingly popular with dentists and dental researchers alike.