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You Might Be Sharing More Than You Think

How decay-associated bacteria can be shared, how cavities develop, and how to care for your teeth.

Updated October 1, 2026 | By Garner's Garden

Some oral bacteria can pass between people through saliva. That does not mean a cavity itself can be caught: cavities are damage caused by tooth decay.

CAVITIES

Cavities affect children and adults alike, and are extremely common. In fact, more than 80% of all Americans have had at least a cavity by the time they hit their mid-30s. (1)

But don't worry. There are ways you can keep cavities at bay, and be healthy and enjoy a BRIGHTER SMILE and HEALTHIER MOUTH right now.

In this guide, we explain the difference between sharing bacteria and developing a cavity, and discuss evidence-based ways to reduce decay risk.

What Are Cavities?

Though most people know how a cavity feels, many people don't actually know what a cavity is. Well, a cavity is a direct result of tooth decay.

Tooth damage and the decaying of your teeth can impact BOTH the outer coat of your teeth (also known as your tooth enamel) and the inner layer of your teeth (also known as your tooth dentin). (2)

There are three kinds of cavities - root cavities, which occur from your gums receding and as a result of the exposing of your teeth root - recurrent decay, which forms around pre-existing crowns and fillings - and coronal cavities, which are found between your teeth or on chewing surfaces. (3)

🌿 ORAL CARE TIP: Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth. Fluoride helps protect enamel and prevent tooth decay. NIH guidance.

Tooth decay involves bacteria in dental plaque. These bacteria use sugars and starches to produce acids that remove minerals from tooth enamel.

Repeated acid exposure can weaken enamel over time. When more minerals are lost than replaced, a cavity can form. (5)

And unfortunately, cavities can easily worsen due to the fact that they start small and don't always cause pain when first developing. (6)

Protect Your Smile Before It's Too Late

Decay-associated bacteria can be shared through saliva, including between caregivers and children. A cavity itself is not transmitted; tooth decay develops through repeated acid exposure and depends on several factors.

Saliva-sharing activities can transfer oral bacteria. Sharing bacteria does not mean a person will inevitably develop cavities. Tooth decay develops over time through repeated acid exposure.

Do not share toothbrushes. Sharing a toothbrush can transfer oral microbes, but a cavity itself cannot be passed through a toothbrush.

🌿 CHILDREN'S ORAL CARE: Ask a dentist about age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, brushing and dental visits. Fluoride-free mouthwash is not an established substitute for fluoride in cavity prevention. Children should only use mouthwash when advised and able to avoid swallowing it.

Kissing and other saliva-sharing activities can transfer oral bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. This is different from transferring a cavity.

Sharing decay-associated bacteria does not guarantee tooth decay. Sugar exposure, plaque, saliva, fluoride exposure and oral hygiene all affect a person's risk.

Focus on regular dental care, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth and limiting frequent sugary snacks and drinks. These habits help reduce decay risk.

How Natural Oral Care Supports Health

Based on current research, natural oral care routines may help:

Inhibit Bacteria

May reduce the growth of bacteria that cause plaque.

Clean Environment

Helps maintain a balanced oral microbiome.

Freshen Breath

Natural aromas reduce odor-causing bacteria.

Gum Support

Protects gums and teeth from oxidative stress.

Your Mouth Deserves Better

Caregivers can share oral bacteria with children through saliva, but it is inaccurate to say that a parent's cavity is transferred to a child.

Avoid cleaning a child's pacifier in your own mouth or sharing utensils that transfer saliva. Ask a pediatric dentist for practical guidance tailored to your child.

A child's oral microbiome develops over time. Tooth decay risk depends on diet, oral hygiene, fluoride exposure and other factors, not simply on whether bacteria have been shared.

🌿 FUN FACT: Gum diseases and dry mouth can lead to decay. Fight gum disease today with the antibacterial strength of the tea tree oil in NATURAL MOUTHWASH! (14)

Several teeth can develop decay when they are exposed to the same risk factors. A cavity does not move from one tooth to another.

To reduce decay risk, brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth, limit frequent sugar exposure and visit your dentist. Choosing a natural oral-care product alone does not establish cavity prevention.

Taking the necessary steps to ensure your chewing surfaces are clean is extra important to reduce your likelihood of developing cavities, as the biting surfaces of children's permanent teeth is where 90 % of their cavities can be found. (16)

A Hidden Risk

Though they don't hurt at the start, cavities can quickly become a real problem inside your mouth when left unchecked. In fact, once they grow, cavities can cause fractures or contact the nerves of your teeth.

This damaged tooth can also leave you vulnerable to sensitivity, which can lead to pain and problems in the long-term with life-altering toothaches.

Decayed teeth is even an often overlooked cause of bad breath, which isn't easily remedied by mints or chewing gum, considering rotting teeth can give off foul odors. (18)

🌿 FUN FACT: Bad oral hygiene can lead to a buildup of plaque, deteriorating your enamel. Remove and repel plaque today by swishing with GG's ORIGINAL OXY PULLING MOUTHWASH! (19)

Not only can cavities cause you problems inside your mouth, but studies are being conducted to pursue a potential link between oral health and heart problems.

One potential link is in your blood stream, where bad oral health can lead to infections that can impact the valves of your heart. In fact, STRONG DENTAL HEALTH is considered extremely important for those with heart valves that are artificial. (20)

This link between heart and oral health is so serious that it's recommended that people with cardiovascular disease talk to their dentists about any medicines they're on and their medical history when they see them. (21)

The Smile Truth You Shouldn't Ignore

Cavities can cause pain and require treatment, but they are not directly contagious. Evidence-based prevention includes fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, limiting frequent sugar exposure and regular dental care.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth. Mouthwash can be an additional part of a routine when appropriate; it is not a substitute for brushing or cleaning between teeth.

Ask your dentist whether a mouth rinse would benefit you and which type is appropriate. Product-specific claims about preventing cavities require supporting evidence.

Ingredient research: Peppermint oil has shown antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies, but that does not establish infection prevention in people. Read our peppermint and oral-health guide for the evidence and its limits.

Cleaning your tongue may help with oral hygiene and breath, but it is not an established cavity-prevention treatment. See your dentist for tooth pain, sensitivity or suspected decay.

And as mentioned before, avoiding sugar-filled drinks is essential in preventing cavities, but so is limiting fruit juices, which are known to sometimes hold as much or more sugar than soda. (25)

And when BRUSHING, keep method in mind. To best BRUSH YOUR TEETH, brush the outer part of your teeth, moving your brush to a 45 degree angle before moving onto the inner part of your teeth and your chewing surfaces. (26)

EXPLORE OUR ORAL CARE

The Fluoride-Free Oral Care Trio

Explore our Fluoride-Free Oral Care Trio for your daily routine. These products are not established substitutes for fluoride in cavity prevention. Ask your dentist which routine is appropriate for you.

SHOP ORAL CARE TRIO

Garner's Garden Fluoride-Free Oral Care Trio

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Sources & Safety Guidelines

*Disclaimer: Contact a doctor/health care professional if you have any questions about you or your kid's/baby's health. Contact a doctor/health care professional before product use. Don't ignore medical guidance or delay getting help because of content on this site. The content on this site is not meant to replace or as a substitute for any advice, treatment, or diagnosis from a medical health professional. The content on this site is not medical advice or guidance. Speak to a health care professional before you or your kid/baby begin any kind of medical/skin care/oral care routine. We are not fully guaranteeing prevention or remedying of any infections, oral problems, skin problems, breathing problems, or diseases with the content on this site or with our products. Speak to a health care professional when mixing skin care/oral care products. Speak to a health care professional before essential oil use. Do not ingest or inhale any product without medical/professional advice. Always read labels carefully.

**Updated: This blog has been edited from a previous version.

(1) Cleveland Clinic Cavities Overview. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10946-cavities
(2) WebMD Dental Health Cavities Guide. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-cavities
(3) Colgate Oral Health: What Are Cavities. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cavities/what-are-cavities
(4) UIC College of Dentistry: 5 Simple Things to Prevent Cavities. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/5-amazingly-simple-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-cavities/
(5) Community Dental: What Are Cavities. https://www.communitydentalme.org/dentist-blogs/what-are-cavities/
(6) Healthline: Tooth Cavities Guide. https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/tooth-cavities
(7) ASAP Dentist Blog: Are Cavities Contagious. https://asapdentist.com/blog/are-cavities-contagious/
(8) East Orlando Dental: Are Cavities Contagious. https://www.eastorlandodental.com/blog/are-cavities-contagious/
(9) Delta Dental WA Blog: Are Cavities Contagious. https://www.deltadentalwa.com/blog/entry/2018/11/are-cavities-contagious
(10) Well+Good: Are Cavities Contagious. https://www.wellandgood.com/are-cavities-contagious/
(11) CNE Dental: Contagious Nature of Cavities. https://www.cnedental.com/are-cavities-contagious/
(12) Gateway Dental Group: Are Cavities Contagious. https://gatewaydentalgroup.org/2014/11/are-cavities-contagious/
(13) Cedar Lodge Dental: Cavities Are Contagious. https://cedarlodgedental.com/cavities-are-contagious/
(14) Ben Del Family Dentistry: Cavity Contagion Guide. http://www.bendelfamilydentistry.com/blog/post/are-cavities-contagious.html
(15) Oakboro Family Dentistry: Can Cavities Spread to Other Teeth. https://oakborofamilydentistry.com/blog/can-cavities-spread-to-other-teeth/
(16) HRSA Enews: Tooth Decay Contagious. https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2017/march-16/tooth-decay-contagious.html
(17) Dr. Ernie Soto: The Dangers of Untreated Dental Cavities. https://www.drerniesoto.com/2021/07/09/the-dangers-of-untreated-dental-cavities/
(18) My Total Dentistry: The Dangers of Rotten Teeth. https://www.mytotaldentistry.com/blog/the-dangers-of-rotten-teeth/
(19) Cleveland Family Dentistry: Dangers of Ignoring a Cavity. https://clevelandfamilydentistry.com/2022/04/27/the-dangers-of-ignoring-a-cavity/
(20) Mayo Clinic: Heart Disease & Oral Health Link. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986
(21) Cleveland Clinic: Oral Health Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11264-oral-health--risk-for-cv-disease
(22) Absolute Dental: 10 Tips That Help Prevent Cavities. https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/10-tips-that-help-prevent-cavities/
(23) Listerine Middle East: Getting to Hard-to-Reach Places. https://www.listerine-me.com/mouth-coach/mouthwash-and-dental-floss-get-hard-reach-places
(24) MouthHealthy ADA: How Do We Prevent Cavities. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-do-we-prevent-cavities
(25) Reno Dental Associates: How to Prevent Cavities. https://renodentalassociates.com/2018/03/09/how-to-prevent-cavities/
(26) Colgate: How to Brush Your Teeth Properly. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/brushing-and-flossing/how-to-brush-your-teeth-properly

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Can You Catch a Cavity? The Answer May Surprise You