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My mom told me not to feed the baby from my spoon, since it causes cavities. Is this true? I've been sharing my food with her for a while now. She loves to eat anything I try. I am wondering if I should stop it.
Elaine, LA

Answer:

It is true. You can pass cavity-causing germs through contact - studies have shown this for over 30 years now. San Antonio dentist Dr. Lawrence Morris says a parent with active, open cavities can easily pass on the bacteria to her child. "Their enamel is a lot weaker, it's a lot thinner than permanent enamel. Cavities tend to develop a lot quicker than on permanent teeth".

It's also important to keep your own teeth clean (yes, both brushing and flossing), so you keep your own risk of cavities (and therefore passing any) to a minimum. At the same time, remember to brush your kids' teeth daily and avoid putting them to bed with a bottle or sippy cup. You can read more about Baby Teeth development here.

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