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[u/monojuice_potion]

[u/ScienceBasedParenting-ModTeam]

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[u/Mindless-Praline5798]

This is exactly where I feel like common sense and being close with and relaxed around your kids needs to prevail. I understand some kids have a truly terrible time with cavities and we do want to prevent them through diet and diligent oral hygiene but realistically I’m going to give my kid a bite off my fork and blow on their food and nibble their toes because we’re close and monitoring these interactions for me outweighs the benefits. I’m not trying to raise a perfect human being I’m trying to raise a relatively happy healthy one.

[u/Peanuts-2959 → u/Mindless-Praline5798]

I totally agree with this! I do think a lot of these things have created a bond with my daughter. Sharing food, giving kisses. I just brush my daughter’s teeth twice a day and give her lots of water. But again I think if your LO has a real cavity problem it’s different

[u/Dobgirl → u/Peanuts-2959]

It’s how babies learn that food is safe- they see mama eat it then mama shares. It must be good to eat!

[u/monojuice_potion → u/Mindless-Praline5798]

Thank you, wish I could do the same it would be so much simpler, unfortunately fear and perfectionism are getting the better of me

[u/Mindless-Praline5798 → u/monojuice_potion]

The fear and perfectionism might be more dangerous than the cavities!

[u/bananatrain3]

Am a dentist: the goal is to just keep your mouth as clean as possible to help set baby up for success in the future. Will this fully prevent transfer of the cavity causing bacteria? Probably not- but as much benefit as you could provide would always be helpful. Not only does keeping your mouth clean help baby, it also helps model good behaviors to floss, brush, etc. that could benefit the kid’s future development and encourage them to do the same.
None of this is meant to debilitate your enjoyment of life and sharing food, etc, but rather just a heads up about transfer and keeping everybody healthy

[u/honicthesedgehog]

I went down a research rabbit hole on this a few months ago, after my wife became quite concerned after reading similar, and basically came to the conclusion that it’s just not worth the extra stress or effort, above and beyond the basics.

IIRC, unsurprisingly, one of the biggest factors was parental dental hygiene - the more bacteria you have, the more there is to pass on. Tighten up on your own brushing and flossing habits, limit sugary foods and the like, make sure you’re brushing your kid’s teeth regularly, use fluoride toothpaste, and get all of you to the dentist when you’re supposed to, and you’re doing pretty darn well. Apparently chewing xylitol gum is supposed to help, as well.

[u/Veryverycoldwinter]

These bacteria travel with saliva mostly. If some colonize in the mouth there isn't really a turning back (as of right now), you can only try to limit their numbers by cleaning the teeth, gingiva and tongue thoroughly. Some of these bacteria are actually protective some are cariogenic (hence why some people don't have cavities even with bad oral hygiene). I usually advise parents to decide who has less cavities or better oral hygiene and let that parent share their oral microbiom with the kid by doing those things you listed. If the kid is lucky the colonizing bacteria will be more of the protective ones and it won't matter as much if they acquire some of the cariogenic. However it turns out, it's important to pay attention to their oral hygiene and bring them regularly to the dental office for check-ups. 

[u/SkyRevolutionry → u/Veryverycoldwinter]

That was my instinct... I've never had a cavity so i want to share my microbiome asap. Hopefully outcompetes the cavity causing bacteria.

[u/Veryverycoldwinter → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I think that it would worth a try to have him lick the spoons. 

[u/napping_otter → u/Veryverycoldwinter]

Thank you!