Are Cavities Contagious?! What You Need To Know!

You Might Be Sharing More Than You Think

 Today, people are more conscious than ever of spreading germs and taking care of their bodies. But did you know that there's a well-known health crisis that can be spread from person to person? What is this health crisis, you may ask...?

 

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 blog we talk about how cavities are spread, why they're dangerous, and the best way you can stay PROTECTED and achieve GREATER ORAL HEALTH RIGHT NOW!

 

 

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)

 

FUN FACT: Brushing your teeth after meals and before bed is an easy and effective way to prevent cavities. Brush your teeth with REAL ingredients to remove plaque naturally and actually whiten your teeth the RIGHT way. (4)

 

Just like many other spreadable diseases, cavities are directly related to bacteria. And this makes sense, considering your mouth is home to a looot of bacteria.

This bacteria turns sugar into acid, and this acid creates tiny holes on your teeth that can lead to tooth decay, or cavities. And what's worse is the bacteria that creates this acid is constantly trying to make the holes in your teeth bigger. (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

 Contrary to what's normally thought, cavities are incredibly contagious. They are spread through what's called vertical transmission, and through other common ways of transmission.

Some examples of ways cavities can be spread are through sneezing, which sends bacteria out of your mouth, and also from parents to children when they sample their food. (7)

Another way to transmit cavities can be through toothbrushes. For example, the ends of our toothbrushes contain a host of bacteria, and keeping toothbrushes close to someone else's can lead to contamination and a transfer of this bacteria. (8)

 

FUN FACT: To help prevent cavities in children, prevent sharing food and utensils! Protect your kids against oral disease by providing them mouthwash with REAL INGREDIENTS without fluoride or alcohol. (9)

 

Another cause of the transfer of cavities from person to person is kissing. This is because Streptococcus mutans - a key contributor to the creation of cavities - is exchanged when people swap saliva.

Though cavities can be transferred this way, it's also important to note that responses to this bacteria can differ from person to person, and people with current cavities or a strong history of them are extra prone to developing them as a result of the bacteria. (10)

This is why it's so important to think again when engaging in activities where bacteria can be transferred. To ensure you're taking the best care of your oral health, be sure to floss, chew sugar-free gum, and BRUSH YOUR TEETH to remove bacteria that can cause cavities. (11)

 

 

YOUR MOUTH DESERVES BETTER

The contagious nature of cavities can be especially dangerous when transferring them from parent to child.

Even though they may be trying to help their child, to avoid giving cavities to your children, it's important that parents don't blow on formula or food before serving it, and that they avoid holding pacifiers inside their own mouth. (12)

To understand just how dangerous cavities can be in a potential transmission from parent to child, it's important to know that babies are not born with cavity-causing bacteria, and instead receive it from the exchange of spit. (13)

 

 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)

 

Not only can cavities transfer from person to person, but cavities can even transfer from tooth to tooth, under the right (or wrong) circumstances.

To avoid a chain reaction of cavity after cavity inside your mouth, it's important that you not only follow a NATURAL ORAL CARE ROUTINE, but that you also eat enough fiber to increase your flow of saliva, and that you limit your candy and soda ingestion. (15)

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

 So we get it: cavities are really bad, and what's worse is that they're contagious. But thankfully, there are ways you can PREVENT CAVITIES in the first place.

Obviously it's important to BRUSH YOUR TEETH twice per day for a minimum of two minutes at a time, but it's also important that you use MOUTHWASH, which rinses away extra germs, food, and plaque. (22)

MOUTHWASH is so important because it can actually reach certain spaces that brushing alone cannot reach. Not only that, but MOUTHWASH can even reach certain spots flossing can't reach. (23)

 

FUN FACT: An oral infection can lead to pain and swelling in your mouth! The peppermint oil found in NATURAL ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH can help reduce your chances of developing an infection! (24)

 

Another way to keep cavities at bay is by cleaning your tongue. Also, if you detect any pain in your mouth at all, it's a good idea to see your dentist and seek assistance immediately.

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)

 

Cavities don't wait - why should your oral care routine?

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*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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10946-cavities

2. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-cavities

3. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cavities/what-are-cavities

4. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/5-amazingly-simple-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-cavities/

5. https://www.communitydentalme.org/dentist-blogs/what-are-cavities/

6. https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/tooth-cavities

7. https://asapdentist.com/blog/are-cavities-contagious/

8. https://www.eastorlandodental.com/blog/are-cavities-contagious/

9. https://www.deltadentalwa.com/blog/entry/2018/11/are-cavities-contagious

10. https://www.wellandgood.com/are-cavities-contagious/

11. https://www.cnedental.com/are-cavities-contagious/

12. https://gatewaydentalgroup.org/2014/11/are-cavities-contagious/

13. https://cedarlodgedental.com/cavities-are-contagious/

14. http://www.bendelfamilydentistry.com/blog/post/are-cavities-contagious.html

15. https://oakborofamilydentistry.com/blog/can-cavities-spread-to-other-teeth/

16. https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2017/march-16/tooth-decay-contagious.html

17. https://www.drerniesoto.com/2021/07/09/the-dangers-of-untreated-dental-cavities/

18. https://www.mytotaldentistry.com/blog/the-dangers-of-rotten-teeth/

19. https://clevelandfamilydentistry.com/2022/04/27/the-dangers-of-ignoring-a-cavity/

20. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986

21. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11264-oral-health--risk-for-cv-disease

22. https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/10-tips-that-help-prevent-cavities/

23. https://www.listerine-me.com/mouth-coach/mouthwash-and-dental-floss-get-hard-reach-places

24. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-do-we-prevent-cavities

25. https://renodentalassociates.com/2018/03/09/how-to-prevent-cavities/

26. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/brushing-and-flossing/how-to-brush-your-teeth-properly