Grandparents are often considered as the pillars of the family. They are often the ones who offer their wisdom and experiences to guide their grandchildren.

One of the grandma’s favorite things to do is to shower her grandkids with affection, which often translates to giving them kisses. While this may seem innocent and harmless, there are hidden dangers behind grandparental kisses that parents and guardians should be aware of. In this article, we will discuss these dangers and the measures you can take to protect your child from them.

The Risks of Facilitating the Spread of Diseases

For several years, we have known that kissing can spread various viral and bacterial infections. When grandparents kiss their grandchildren, they expose them to the risk of contracting diseases spread through saliva, such as cold and flu.

These diseases may not pose a great threat to adults, but to children, they can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential that grandparents should avoid kissing their grandchildren in such scenarios, especially if the child has a weak immune system, or if there is an outbreak of a contagious disease.

Risks of Skin Disorders from Kisses

Grandparents who are into kisses sometimes forget that they carry bacteria and other pathogens on their skin. When they exchange kisses with their grandkids, this easily transfers these bacteria, fungi, and viruses onto their skin.

This increases the risk of children developing skin disorders like eczema, caused by an overactive immune response or allergic reaction to certain materials on the skin. The human skin has millions of bacteria, and while some of these bacteria are harmless, others are not. Therefore, caregivers should discourage their parents from kissing their children’s faces, especially if the child has sensitive skin.

The Dangers of Passing Down Cold Sores

Cold sores are a type of herpes virus that causes blistering around the mouth area. The virus mainly spreads through contact with fluid from the sores, through oral sex, kissing, or sharing personal items like lipsticks and utensils.

Although many adults often get cold sores and manage them accordingly, it can be hazardous to infants and toddlers. Young children are more susceptible to cold sores, and if they contract it, it could lead to serious complications, such as brain inflammation.

Therefore, grandparents should avoid kissing their grandchildren if they have any cold sores or blisters around their mouth as a precautionary measure.

Danger of Passing Down Cavities and Dental Decay

Dental decay is a widespread problem among children today, and sometimes, grandparents can unknowingly contribute to this problem.

When grandparents kiss their grandchildren or share eating utensils, they increase the chances of transmission of the bacteria responsible for dental caries. These bacteria thrive in the mouth and break down the sugar in the food we eat, leading to the formation of cavities.

Caregivers should discourage grandparents from kissing the child’s mouth or sharing utensils with them to lower the chances of spreading the bacteria.

The Risk of Allergic Reactions from Lip Care Products

Grandparents may mean well by offering their grandkids some of their lip products, but this can be hazardous. Lip care products like chapsticks and lip balm may contain ingredients that children are allergic to.

If the child has an unknown allergy to any of these ingredients, it could lead to severe facial swelling, redness, and rashes. To avoid such scenarios, grandparents need to ensure that they don’t share their personal lip care products with their grandchildren.

The Danger of Transmitting Gum Diseases

Grandparents who suffer from gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease pose a significant risk to their grandchildren. These diseases can spread through the sharing of utensils, toothbrushes, or even a simple kiss.

Research shows that children who have grown up in households with a high level of gum disease are more likely to have gum problems as they grow older. Therefore, caregivers should discourage grandparents from engaging in activities that could promote the spread of gum diseases to their grandkids.

The Risk of Misaligning Teeth

Some grandparents enjoy the habit of over-pampering their grandchildren, particularly when it comes to their teeth. This often translates to them spoon-feeding the kids instead of allowing them to feed themselves.

When grandparents engage in such habits, they unknowingly increase the risk of misaligning the child’s teeth. Caregivers should encourage grandparents to help the child learn the habit of feeding themselves and reduce excessive spoon-feeding to avoid causing malposition or unevenness to the teeth.

Conclusion

Kissing grandparents is a common sight in many households, but it also comes with hidden dangers that should not be ignored. As outlined in this article, grandparents pose different threats, ranging from oral diseases to allergic reactions.

However, it is still possible for grandparents to show their affection without putting their grandchildren’s health at risk. Caregivers should teach the grandparents specific actions that they can take to show their love for their grandkids while protecting their health.