Delta Dental spit

OAK BROOK, Illinois--Most parents don’t know they can pass harmful bacteria from their mouth to a baby’s mouth, putting children at an increased risk for cavities.

In fact, less than a third of American caregivers (32%) realize they can pass dental disease to their baby. That’s one of the key findings from a survey of American children’s oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association.

Most people know that the bacteria in the mouth that causes tooth decay can be transferred from person to person. This is most likely during a child’s first two and one-half years of life. Tooth decay causing bacteria called Streptococcus mutans are passed when items contaminated with saliva go into a child's mouth.

Typically, this takes place through common parental behaviors, such as the sharing of eating utensils or using one's mouth to clean a baby’s pacifier. Research shows that moms play a primary role in passing bacteria but other nonfamily settings like day-care centers also play a role. …

Caregiver behavior reflects a lack of knowledge about passing on bacteria that can lead to dental disease. Nearly two in every five (37%) Americans say they sometimes or often share utensils with their children. Caregivers of children ages 2 to 3 are most likely to share utensils with their children.

“Babies are actually born without any harmful bacteria in their mouths. But once bacteria colonize in the mouth, your child will be more prone to cavities in baby and permanent teeth,” said Dr. William Kohn, DDS, vice president of dental science and policy for Delta Dental Plans Association.

“If you have a history of poor oral health with frequent cavities, you're particularly likely to pass the germs along.”

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Delta Dental Plans Association offers these tips to help caregivers protect their children’s teeth:

* Make sure to keep your own mouth healthy. It’s never too late to begin good oral health habits. Maintain a good diet, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Visit the dentist regularly and have any cavities in your own teeth repaired.

* Try to cut back on or eliminate saliva-transferring behaviors – such as sharing utensils and toothbrushes, and cleaning off your baby’s pacifier with your own mouth.

* Mothers and expecting moms who already chew gum should chew gum sweetened primarily with xylitol. A recent study found that children of moms who chewed xylitol gum (starting in the sixth month of pregnancy) were significantly less likely to have decay-causing bacteria in their saliva.3

If you follow these tips, you can ensure that you will be passing along good oral health habits – not harmful bacteria – to your children.

For more information, go to www.deltadental.com.

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