Ask the Dentist: Can a kiss cause a cavity?
Do you taste your baby’s food, urge your baby to eat by placing the spoon in your mouth, lick the spoon off between the strained carrots and the applesauce, or clean the bottle or pacifier nipple by placing it in your own mouth? The answer for most parents is “well, of course.” Few parents realize that these very acts of caring and affection contribute significantly to the child’s susceptibility to dental decay. Parents transmit decay-causing bacteria directly to their children through their own saliva.
Dental decay is the most common infection of childhood. Yes, it is an infection. The decay process involves a tooth, sugar, and a specific strain of bacteria called Streptococcus Mutans (s. mutans). A baby’s oral bacteria is established in the first 2-3 years of life and consists of many microorganisms. If your baby receives only modest exposure to this decay-causing bacteria during this young age, his susceptibility to dental cavities will be low. If, on the other hand, frequent and high exposures occur, your baby will be highly susceptible to early childhood cavities. Studies have demonstrated that the genotype of this s. mutans bacteria, in most cases, is the same for both the mother and the baby. When the count of this bacteria is high in the oral cavity, frequent exposures to sugar, as found in juice and sweet drinks, is especially detrimental, producing dental cavities.
So, what should a mother do? Should she discontinue or change her habits? Not necessarily. What parents can do is lower their own decay-causing bacteria by exercising excellent oral hygiene. Thorough and consistent brushing and flossing, along with some anti-bacterial oral rinses, can greatly reduce the s. mutans count in adult saliva and will result in fewer transfers of bacteria to the child. Regular use of xylitol sweetened gum may also be of benefit when chewed regularly by the mother. Studies done in Finland illustrate that when mothers chewed xylitol sweetened gum postnatally from 3-24 months, their children had 70% fewer cavities than did the subjects without the gum. The study author suggested that xylitol’s ability to suppress the metabolism and numbers of the s. mutans bacteria in the mother accounted for a significant decrease in transmission to her child.*
In conclusion, parents can act on the following suggestions to diminish their child’s susceptibility to early childhood cavities:
• Be aware of the transmission of decay-causing bacteria to your child by your own saliva.
• Practice your own regular and thorough oral hygiene, including preventative dental check-ups.
• Clean your baby’s oral cavity regularly, first with a washcloth and, once teeth begin to erupt, with a soft brush.
• Limit your child’s exposure to sweet drinks and juice, especially between meals and at bedtime.
• Schedule your child’s first dental appointment between 12-18 months of age for evaluation and instruction.
*Isokangas, P. et al (2000) Journal of Dental Research 79 (11); 1885-1886.
Dr. Glenn V. Hemberger, D.D.S., M.S. specializes in dental care from baby’s first check-up (12-18 months) to preventative care including orthodontics.
Dr. Glenn V. Hemberger, D.D.S., M.S