You may see it as a sign of affection but research suggests you should not kiss a baby on the lips.
Kissing seems so harmless but research suggests that you could spread oral bacteria called mutans streptococci through saliva if you have active tooth decay. And this could increase your child’s risk for cavities.
Babies love to have their fingers in their mouths, so don’t let them stick their fingers in your mouth or anyone else’s either. Otherwise you’re increasing the risk of transferring bad bacteria.
Don’t blow on your child’s food to cool it down. And skip tasting it before feeding your child as well. Avoid cleaning off a child’s pacifier using your own saliva. And clean your baby’s gums after they’re done eating with a damp cloth to help keep bacteria from building up.
Brush your child’s teeth as soon as they poke through. And don’t share toothbrushes.
Also, be sure to take care of your own oral health. Get regular checkups and any cavities taken care of right away so you’re less likely to pass germs along.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) is the virus that causes sores and blisters on the lips and inside the mouth, commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. In infants, herpes type 1 can cause severe infections including encephalitis, brain, lung and liver disease, as well as skin and eye sores.
Newborn babies have extremely fragile immune systems for the first three months of life. For some infants, a herpes type 1 infection is extremely serious, especially when it affects the brain, lungs and liver.
For this reason, never encourage people not to kiss a child of any age on the lips and to always provide every child separate toothbrushes, utensils and drinking glasses.
PNN
