Even infants who have yet to begin teething can benefit from a good oral health routine, as many of the pathogens that will cause cavities later in life are already present in the mouths of young babies, according to a new study reported in PLoS ONE, a scientific journal published by the U.S. Public Library of Science.
"We now recognize that the ‘window of infectivity,’ which was thought to occur between 19 and 33 months of age years ago, really occurs at a much younger age," explained lead researcher Kelly Swanson, with the University of Illinois.
"Minimizing snacks and drinks with fermentable sugars and wiping the gums of babies without teeth, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, are important practices for new parents to follow to help prevent future cavities."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most common infection disease among American children: "By the time a child reaches kindergarten, 40 percent have dental cavities," noted Swanson.
"In addition, populations who are of low socioeconomic status, who consume a diet high in sugar, and whose mothers have low education levels are 32 times more likely to have this disease."
The best way to prevent tooth decay is to educate parents about good oral hygiene and diet, recommends Swanson.
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