Tooth decay is transmitted from adults to children
It's probably very few mothers who know the composition of bacteria in their saliva and probably even fewer who know that this affects their child's dental health for life. Kisses and hugs are fine, but contact in an exchange of saliva can transmit "cariesbakterier" from mother to child. Parents should be better informed, is the assessment of Professor at the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen Svante Twetman.
Mothers pass on bacteria to their children
People who have very caries, often have a specific bacterial composition. And this "cariesbakterier" can thus be infectious. Studies show that bacteria in infants in more than 70 percent of cases of maternal origin, but the infection can also occur from other relatives or for example in a nursery environment.
Mothers with many "cariesbakterier" are at high risk of transmitting these to their children by example, sharing the place with their children or taste the baby bottle. The earlier a child is exposed to cariesbakterier, the greater is the risk that the bacteria establish a permanent and on a large scale. Thus there is an increased risk of the child developing caries in preschool, writes Tandlægebladet.
According to Professor Svante Twetman these are first and foremost to avoid direct saliva contact. One should as parents avoid taking the child's pacifier or other things that must go into the baby mouth, into his own mouth. One should not, for example try baby food temperature in his own mouth. And you should not soak the nipple, or "make clean" by taking it in his mouth.
Another measure which the mother can take is to try to reduce its level of cariesbakterier. Based on multiple independent studies highlight Svante Twetman that, "the mother can treat themselves antibacterial by rinsing the mouth with klorhexidinopløsning, or she may choose to chew xylitol chewing gum in the period until the child's first tooth eruption."
He stresses that there is some evidence that dental health in children can be improved if dental staff gives future and new parents information and advice on how to avoid transmission of cariesbakterier for her child.
Read more in Dentistry Magazine No. 12 2009 or www.tandlaegebladet.dk . Recommended Articles:
