Caries Risk Transmission from Mother to Child
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Caries is a transmissible disease!
- Mothers are the main source of passing streptococci mutans, the bacteria responsible for causing caries, to their infants.
- Transmission occurs via saliva contact such as tasting or pre-chewing food.
- If mom's bacterial level is high, transmission is more likely.
- If colonization is delayed until after age two, then the child will have fewer caries.
- Caregivers with caries also often pass on bad habits (high sugar intake, poor oral hygiene).
- Fathers can pass on the bacteria, but studies show this is less common.
- Message to moms should be BRUSH FOR TWO!
Bacterial transfer can occur via shared utensils
Annett Vauteck/Photos.com
References
US Department of Health and Human Services. Oral health in America. A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health; 2000.
Ramos-Gomez FJ, Weintraub JA, Ganskyet SA, et al. Bacterial, behavioral and environmental factors associated with early childhood caries. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2002; 26(2):165-173.
Douglass JM, LI Y, Tinanoff N. Systematic review of the association between mutans streptococci in primary caregivers and mutans streptococci and dental caries in their children. Pediatric Dentistry 2008, 30(5):375-387.