I was very shocked when I read about this new discovery about tooth decay and babies. Many studies have been conducted over cavity-causing bacteria that can actually travel from a mother to a baby after a kiss on the mouth, sharing eating utensils, or blowing on the babies food just to cool it down. I guess it wouldn't be a "new discovery", since there has been publishing on this matter for 30 years. Dentists do recognize it as a problem now. Strepptococcus is the main bacteria that spreads from a person with tooth decay to a baby.
Colonization of the bacteria Strepptococcus in baby teeth will even stick around after the baby teeth have all fallen out and terrorize the replacement adult teeth. Teeth are the most susceptible when they first break through the gums. The enamel is very soft and just hasn't built up a good defense. Allowing a baby to drink juice, milk, and other drinks containing sugar from a sippy cup all the time contributes to the problem. The bacteria uses the sugar and creates acid, the acid in turn breaks down the enamel of the teeth.
It is recommended that women start chewing Xylitol in the 3rd trimester to lessen the possibility of passing this bacteria to the infant. It is also good for an expecting mother to have her teeth thoroughly cleaned in the second and third trimesters. I am sure any mom who has read any of the pregnancy books knows that clean teeth is important to overall health anyway. There is no need to have a low immune system while pregnant. Since it is completely unfathomable not to kiss one's baby, or blow on his or her food, and ultimately to keep bacteria away from the little angels, dentists recommend wiping the baby's mouth, tongue, and cheeks with a clean, wet cloth about as often as you would change a diaper. This keeps colonies of bacteria from ever establishing.
Baby teeth have more importance than one may think at first. A set of baby teeth not only allow the little guys to chew food; they are also needed for a baby to learn to speak, and to save room for the permanent teeth to come. If a tooth falls out unnaturally due to being knocked out accidentally, or a dentist pulling it because it was diseased, the other teeth will move together and not leave a space for the adult tooth. A dentist can put in a space saver between the teeth to ensure the future crown it's rightful place. If this little metal spacer is not inserted, the child will end up with crowded teeth.
Losing baby teeth normally begins around ages 5 or 6, though it can start as early as 4 years or as late as 8 years of age. It can be a scary and exciting time for kids; children even compete over how many teeth they have lost compared to classmates. Before a baby tooth gets loose and falls out, the root will actually dissolve. The reason you shouldn't force a tooth out (say by tying it to a door know and slamming the door)is because if the root is not fully dissolved, it could break and become infected. Wriggling is fine, just don't force it.
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I found this blog post to be very informative. I had no idea tooth decay was contagious to babies! I never would have thought that blowing on their food could spread tooth decay! Thanks for the interesting and informative blog.
ReplyDeleteMy son had a lot of dental problems when he was younger mostly due to his first dentist not doing a good job. He had a cavity that was not taken care of correctly. It later spread to other teeth and the original tooth with the cavity had to be pulled.
ReplyDeleteWell I never would have thought of baby teeth as being that important but everything you said makes sense. It's amazing the older one gets how much less the little things seem random. I guess everything truely does happen for a reason.
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