Originally published October 2, 2015 as “Are Cavities Contagious?”
WE ALL KNOW it's possible to catch a cold from someone who's under the weather. Did you know cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person-to-person too? Let's dive into the question, “Are cavities contagious?” in today's article.
Bacteria Is At The Root Of Cavities
While sugary treats often take the blame for causing cavities, the real culprits for tooth decay are bacteria. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus (and a few others) are bacteria which stick to our teeth and eat food particles left behind from our last meal, producing acids which threaten gum health and cause tooth decay.
And just like cold-causing bacteria, these bacteria like to travel.
via GIPHY
Bacteria Travels From Person-to-Person
Whether it's through sharing a drink or kissing a loved one, cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person-to-person the same way many other bacterial infections can. Studies have shown that “catching a cavity” is not only possible, it happens far more often than you might think.
One of the most common transmissions is from parent to child. Cavity-causing bacteria are commonly passed along to a child when a mother or father tastes food to ensure it's not too hot or when he or she “cleans” a pacifier by sucking on it before handing it over.
Take Simple Steps To Stop The Spread of Bacteria
What can you do to reduce your risk of transmitting these cavity-causing bacteria to someone else?
· Follow our six-step caries management program (see previous blogs for further details)
· Be mindful of drinks and eating utensils you're sharing and the risks that are involved.
· Be aware of other behaviors which may spread these bacteria.
What causes cavities?
Trust Our Practice For Solutions
Nobody wants to inadvertently “catch a cavity.” Our practice is committed to providing you with the best information possible to help you create a healthy and resilient smile. If you have any questions about this, be sure to ask us! We love visiting about your oral health. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the “contact us” button at the top of the page or you could reach out to us on social media.
Thank you for reading our blog! We value our relationship with you as our patients and friends!
Feel free to share this blog if you know someone who might benefit from it. And here's To Your Health!
Image of couple by Flickr user bigbirdz used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
