ALPHARETTA, GA – Are cavities contagious? Believe it or not, they are. In fact, the better your own dental hygiene, the better your child’s teeth will be, too. As parents, we unknowingly spread bacteria to our children by sharing drinks, food, eating utensils, and even kissing them. This is not to say that we shouldn’t kiss our kids every chance we get, but we do need to make sure we’re not passing on harmful bacteria that can and will cause cavities.
Babies are born without the presence of harmful bacteria in their mouths, but this soon changes once teeth begin to develop. Families unknowingly pass on certain disease-carrying germs called tooth decay, and unfortunately, this can cause lifelong problems for some. Cavities are also formed by another bacteria, mutans streptococcus, which feed on sugar that will eventually lead to plaque and tooth decay.
Once plaque begins to settle, tooth decay quickly follows. More and more children are developing cavities these days at an alarming rate for numerous reasons. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), approximately 40 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 have cavities. This is alarming news, but the good news is that cavities in children are easily preventable. Asking your child’s dentist what to do is the best place to start.
Here are the best ways to prevent bacteria from spreading to your baby’s mouth and causing cavities:
Keep your hands to yourselves!
Children’s hands naturally gravitate towards their mouths and everything around them, such as their mouth, the mouth of their siblings, a playmate, or a relative, where germs are passed back and forth in a never-ending cycle . When it comes to dental hygiene, sharing is not necessarily caring. Teach your son to be careful about the food and drinks he shares with her friends. Get in the habit of washing your hands after playing and eating to keep germs at bay.
brush off bacteria
The best way to help prevent cavities in children is to start proper dental hygiene even before their first tooth erupts, gently wiping their gums with a clean cloth after each feeding or meal to help prevent the growth of bacteria and plate.
When your teeth start to come in, it’s as simple as wiping your teeth with a clean gauze pad or cloth after meals. When they are old enough to communicate with you, around age 3, you can start teaching them how to use a toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste.
It is generally not recommended to allow children to use toothpaste until they are taught not to swallow it and to spit it out while brushing. However, you can start with a specially designed children’s toothbrush and simply use water instead of toothpaste until they learn not to swallow it. When in doubt, you can always ask your child’s dentist about appropriate pediatric dental procedures and ages to start brushing. Teaching children to care for their teeth early on will help prevent the growth of bacteria to prevent unwanted cavities.
Visit the dentist regularly
A good rule of thumb is to find a pediatric dentist early on, when your child approaches the one-year mark, and start getting him used to routine pediatric dental procedures, such as exams and office visits with a pediatric dentist and his staff. Pediatric dental centers like Polkadot Pediatric Dentistry in Alpharetta, Georgia are professionals who make babies and toddlers comfortable and relaxed.
Your dentist will be sure to inform you that pediatric oral hygiene begins with caring for your child’s teeth and gums as you would your own. Take the time to clean your gums or brush your teeth at least twice a day; limiting sugary snacks and eating healthy foods will help reduce the growth of plaque and cavities in children.
As tempting as it may be, try not to share drinking glasses, eating utensils, or toothbrushes with children; everyone should have their own. By practicing proper oral hygiene yourself and teaching the rest of your family to participate as well, you’ll ensure your baby’s teeth get off to a good start, from an early age.
