Centre for Distinctive Dentistry Blog - Dr. Ned Nippoldt

Keeping one's children caries-free is a goal that most parents have. Studies have shown that children whose parents have oral flora in their mouths containing elevated levels of Strep mutans, an acid-producing bacteria that causes cavities, are at increased risk of developing bacterial colonization of Strep mutans when their teeth erupt. The Strep mutans bacteria are passed along to infants through shared saliva by kissing, sharing food, or tasting the infant's food before feeding.

No one wants to stop kissing their baby, so what can a parent do to decrease the chances of passing Strep mutans on? Recent studies have shown that children of mothers who chewed 100 percent xylitol-sweetened gum four times per day beginning when their babies were three months old through 24 months of age had significantly reduced levels of Strep mutans in their mouths than mothers who did not chew gum containing xylitol but instead had fluoride varnish or chlorhexidine varnish applied every 6 months during the same time period. Furthermore, when the children were five years of age, the children whose mothers chewed xylitol-sweetened gum had 70 percent less need for restorative care than children of mothers in the other two groups. Several studies have shown that preventing Strep mutans transmission during the first two years of a baby's life will lessen the baby's risk for future caries.

Besides chewing gum with xylitol, parents should practice good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits to change the oral flora that is important for good health. The best time to start these habits is before your baby is born.

If you are interested in maintaining excellent dental health for you or your family and are in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury, MN, or Hudson, WI, areas, please contact Dr. Ned Nippoldt's Centre for Distinctive Dentistry at 651-739-8573.

Labels: cavities, children's dental health, Family Dentist, Family Dentistry