X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Kissing babies on their lips could cause dental problems

4 min read
Kissing babies on their lips could cause dental problems

It might be a way to show affection, but kissing your baby on the lips before they have teeth could harm their future dental health

Being affectionate is a way moms and dads show their love. Showering their little ones with hugs and kisses comes naturally. And so is the drive to make sure they grow up healthy. Unfortunately, gestures of affection—like kissing baby on the mouth—could harm their future health.

Kissing baby on mouth could spread harmful bacteria, doctors say

According to a study conducted by BioMed Central Oral Health, a mom can transfer oral bacteria by kissing their babies on the lips. This exposes them to germs that could cause dental cavities and other oral health issues.

But it’s not just kissing baby on mouth that poses risks. Even sharing a spoon with your little one during mealtime could be putting them at risk for future cavities.

kissing baby on mouth

Don’t kiss baby on mouth! Even sharing a spoon with your baby could spread the bacteria that causes future tooth decay! (image source: shutterstock)

Mom Rachel learned this when her two-year-old was diagnosed with baby teeth cavities. According to their dentist, it could have been the result of kissing her baby on the mouth.

“The dentist handed me this piece of paper that talked about saliva transfer,” the 37-year-old mom told NBC news, recounting how shocked she was.

“It said not to share cups or utensils or food and said, ‘No kissing your kid on the lips.’ I was shocked; I’d been taking a bite of food and then giving her a bite since she started eating,” she continued. “I told the dentist I’d never heard of this and he said these were new findings.”

Like Rachel, a lot of moms and dads aren’t really aware of the risk.

However, paediatric dentist Dr. Jane Soxman clarifies that it’s not always kissing on the lips that’s to blame. It is merely one of a variety of factors.

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection that can spread when your child’s teeth are at their most vulnerable, or before their milk teeth erupt.

“It’s as if you had a bad cold and were kissing your child, you would spread the cold virus,” Dr. Soxman explains to NBC news.

A study in the Journal of the California Dental association further emphasizes the importance of treating dental caries or teeth decay as an “infectious disease.”

How to prevent future tooth decay

kiss baby on mouth

It’s never too early to take charge of your child’s dental health. Aside from avoiding kissing baby on mouth, make sure to keep their mouth clean! (image source: file photo)

The Pediatric Dental Center offers the following guidelines to avoid the spread of tooth decay-causing bacteria:

  • Take care of your own oral health. Moms and moms-to-be should visit their dentist religiously, brush with flouride toothpaste, and floss regularly.
  • While pregnant, have an oral checkup. With all the preparation involved in pregnancy, it’s easy to overlook your dental health. Don’t forget to schedule a visit to know if preventive treatment is needed.
  • Of course, avoid “salivary contact,” which means NO kissing on the lips or sharing utensils during meals.
  • Don’t let them use a bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier!
  • If your little one drops their pacifier, make sure to replace or clean it instead of just manually cleaning it.
  • Brush and floss your child’s milk teeth, as advised by your pediatric dentist.
  • Keep sweetened beverages at a minimum.
  • Even if your little one’s teeth have not come out yet, keep their mouth clean! From birth to 12 months, simply use a clean wash cloth or finger brush to lightly scrub their gums. Around the age of 12 to 36 months, you can brush your child’s teeth with flouride toothpaste twice a day.

For any dental health concerns, it’s always best to consult your child’s pediatrician.

sources: NBC News, BMC Oral Health

READ THIS ALSO: Is it okay to kiss your kids on the lips? Parents share their views

Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore

 

Partner Stories
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
BATANG MATIBAY: How this OFW's 12-year-old Son Shines at School and at Home
BATANG MATIBAY: How this OFW's 12-year-old Son Shines at School and at Home
When Shopping For Tablets For Your Kids What Should Be On Your Checklist?
When Shopping For Tablets For Your Kids What Should Be On Your Checklist?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Ages & Stages
  • /
  • Kissing babies on their lips could cause dental problems
Share:
  • The magic that happens when you gaze at your sweet baby

    The magic that happens when you gaze at your sweet baby

  • Sometimes good parenting means saying "No" to your adorable baby!

    Sometimes good parenting means saying "No" to your adorable baby!

  • Mom shocked to discover second pregnancy just three months after delivery

    Mom shocked to discover second pregnancy just three months after delivery

  • Dani Barretto sa speech delay ng kaniyang daughter: “Kahit ano pa siya, mamahalin ko siya.”

    Dani Barretto sa speech delay ng kaniyang daughter: “Kahit ano pa siya, mamahalin ko siya.”

  • The magic that happens when you gaze at your sweet baby

    The magic that happens when you gaze at your sweet baby

  • Sometimes good parenting means saying "No" to your adorable baby!

    Sometimes good parenting means saying "No" to your adorable baby!

  • Mom shocked to discover second pregnancy just three months after delivery

    Mom shocked to discover second pregnancy just three months after delivery

  • Dani Barretto sa speech delay ng kaniyang daughter: “Kahit ano pa siya, mamahalin ko siya.”

    Dani Barretto sa speech delay ng kaniyang daughter: “Kahit ano pa siya, mamahalin ko siya.”

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.