Taking care of a baby isn’t a child’s play.
Lots of patience and determination is required while nursing a newborn. A simple act of love and harmless habits at times can put your kid’s health at risk.
One such activity is blowing on your baby’s food while feeding them. We all do it without knowing that it can damage your baby’s dental health, even before their teeth come in.
Why should you avoid it?
You might be surprised to know that the bacteria that causes tooth decay can be passed on from one person to another. If you have cavities and you blow on your baby’s food, chances are that the bacteria from your mouth will be passed on to them.
Babies are not exposed to cavities causing Streptococcus mutans (a type of bacteria) when they are born. Streptococcus mutans causes cavities when they leave acid while feeding over the leftover food on teeth. Coming in contact with this bacteria will lead to the formation of plaque and then it will develop into cavities in your babies teeth even before they start to appear. It will just take five to six months for the bacteria to start the process of tooth decay. Moreover, a child’s teeth are the most vulnerable to bacteria when they’re just starting to develop.
As per an Australian study, most toddlers pick up Streptococcus mutans from their mothers. The bacteria normally spreads when parents share saliva by blowing on their kid’s food, eating from the same spoon, and kissing their babies on the mouth.
Bottom line
-Try not to blow on your baby’s food and do not share the same spoon or water.
-Practice good dental hygiene.
-Wipe your baby’s mouth repeatedly with a clean wet cloth, so that the bacteria do not get a chance to grow.
-Wipe the tongue, the teeth, and the cheeks on a regular interval.
