In short, yes! Cavity causing bacteria can be transferred from parents to children by many different ways. A few examples are: sharing utensils, cleaning a soother by putting it into your own mouth and then giving it to the baby, kissing etc.
For the most part babies mouths are free from bacteria that cause dental decay. The cavity causing bacteria are introduced into their mouths usually from external sources. If you can minimize these sources, that child may have a lower propensity for developing cavities in the future.
Of course good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing and a healthy, low sugar, low acid diet go a long long way.
As always please remember… ‘floss and brush today, so you can smile tomorrow!’