1) Slobbery face to face nuzzling and kissing of their babies.
2) Sharing spoons and cups with infants while helping them learn to eat.
3) Cleaning baby's oral items like pacifiers and teething rings by licking them off yourself.
To me that is a bit like telling moms not to be moms. Don't do those cuddly face to face things that moms do so well? Children get their oral bacterial balance from somewhere, so if it is not mom, who will it be? Spin the roulette wheel and hope? No. The focus is to create good oral health for mom. Then she can pass her healthy balance of bacteria to her child! Evidence shows that mom’s with a healthy balance of bacteria in their mouths have babies who "get" disease causing bacteria much later as toddlers. Evidence is also clear; toddlers who establish a cavity causing bacteria in their mouths later have fewer cavities for a lifetime. The next few blogs will explore:
1) Good oral health helps a healthy pregnancy.
2) Poor oral health is associated with pre-term delivery and low birth weights.
3) Dental care during pregnancy is safe.
4) Improving oral health is in your hands, it is simple, and it is NOT expensive.
5) Xylitol, toothpaste, mouth rinses and other over-the-counter products can improve your oral health if used correctly.
So until the next week, remember:
Don't floss all your teeth; just the ones you want to keep.
Scott Thompson, Pediatric Dentistry