Are Cavities Contagious in Kids & Young? 5 Ways to Prevent

Cavities in kids and youngsters are a common oral issue, especially in individuals fond of eating sweet dishes. According to a recent study, not brushing their teeth after eating a lovely dish results in contagious cavities.

In this blog, we will share more about how cavities are transmitted, whether cavities are harmful or contagious in adults, whether you can spread cavities by sharing a toothbrush, and how to care for cavities.

Continue reading our blog to learn more about this issue.

Visit Palm Valley Pediatric Orthodontics & Dentistry, Arizona, or contact online for a free checkup of your kid’s teeth.

Get deep insights about their cavities and learn how to avoid cavities in kids from oral hygiene experts.

What are Cavities?

Dental cavities, or “dental caries,” appear as dark spots or holes in decayed teeth. They harden the tissues and start small, growing gradually if left untreated. Since tooth decay can be diagnosed easily without symptoms, cavities also get neglected.

Only regular dentist visits can help learn about the presence of cavities and their treatment options.

Are Cavities Normal?

While discussing cavities, we have various questions: What are their side effects? Are cavities reversible? Recent studies reveal that cavities are contagious and can quickly spread between individuals, just like you catch the flu1. 

Having cavities is normal, but not anymore. You might be wondering if cavities are contagious through kissing. They can quickly spread by kissing wildly from kids to mothers.

This is because the cavities are caused by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which causes infection.

This bacteria is transmittable from person to person and readily colonizes teeth after eruption. 

Just like a cold virus, cavity-causing bacteria also spread and transmit infection.

In addition to the kissing, germs quickly transmit via shared food, utensils, and sneezing.

Later in the blog, we offer tips to prevent the spread of cavities that will benefit infants, kids, and their parents.

Do Tooth Cavities Spread?

It is surprising to learn that, just like other contagious diseases, cavities are also infectious.

Cavities and gum diseases are easily transmittable in couples, kids, and their families as they exchange bacteria from their mouths.

Terrible oral hygiene can result in developing cavities and transfer to others. So, one must be mindful of cavities in their teeth to prevent damage to other people’s health.

Infants and children are particularly vulnerable as they are the center point of affection for the family.

One common way this can happen is when parents test a child’s food before feeding them.

It transfers the parents’ saliva to the food, which can spread bacteria in kids’ mouths and cause cavities to develop.

So, parents also need to be mindful of their activities, which can be problematic for the kids.

How to Stop Cavities from Worsening?

The best approach while talking about teeth cavities is, of course, a prevention approach. If you have cavities and are in the beginning phase, avoid them with utmost oral care.

But, if cavities are unavoidable, you must look for dental services offering treatment options.

Fluoride toothpastes are available to treat cavities in the early phase. They can help restore the soft and hard tissues if the damage is under control.

Otherwise, other options include fillings, crowns, root canals, and others.

Meeting with the professional can help you better understand the available options according to your cavity condition.

In addition, there are ways to prevent cavities that one must learn to prevent cavities and their transfer.

Follow a proper oral care regime to avoid cavities first and follow post-treatment precautions and measures to prevent their spread.

5 Ways to Prevent Cavities at Home:

Out of all the options available, the first approach must be to avoid cavities by prevention.

Here, we share a few tips to save you from getting cavities and help you protect your loved ones.

For instance:

1: Utensils use

Be conscious about the use of utensils in your household. Do not share utensils with your siblings and extended family members.

Make sure your baby has a clean and sterilized pacifier.

Doing this will successfully prevent the spread of bacteria and eventually prevent cavities.

2: Oral hygiene

Oral hygiene plays a vital role in controlling cavities. Having stinky and decayed teeth gives space for bacteria to grow.

Make sure to clean your brush regularly after each meal and bedtime.

3: Fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste is a viable option to control cavities. Some people might be thinking, are cavities reversible?

The cavities are not reversible, but toothpaste can sometimes restore the tooth enamel and reverse cavities in the early stages.

4: Oil pulling

Oil pulling is an important technique and home remedy to help with lousy breathing and other oral issues.

It is also found helpful in breaking the cavities at an early stage.

Research reveals that it reduces bacteria growth in the mouth, plaque, and inflammation 2. Essential oils such as coconut or sesame oil are best to avoid cavities.

5: Avoid sugary items

Try to take a well-balanced diet enriched with minerals and vitamins. Do not take fizzy drinks.

Avoid desserts with extra sweets as sugar mixes with bacteria, forming an acid that damages the tooth enamel.

Myths About Cavities

There are various myths linked to cavities in teeth. Here at PVPD, our pediatric dentists take pride in offering authentic information and providing complete guidance to parents.

Some of the general misconceptions about cavities in society:

• Myth: Sugar is the major cause of cavities.
• Reality: Along with sugar, other factors add to cavity growth, such as bacteria, saliva, and oral hygiene habits.

• Myth: Children are prone to cavities.
• Reality: Cavities can affect at any age, not only children.

• Myth: You know when you have a cavity.
• Reality: Sometimes cavities cause no pain until the case is severe, so regular dental checkups are essential.

FAQs

Is a cavity contagious?

Yes, cavities are contagious through a couple of means, such as kissing the babies, sharing utensils, checking food meals before feeding, sharing toothbrushes, and more. 

Can you pass a tooth infection to others?

A tooth infection is easily transferable to others through many ways, such as kissing or sharing utensils.

When transferred to others, a bacteria in the mouth named S.Mutans causes the same infection.

Can cavities spread to neighboring teeth?

Yes, cavities quickly grow on acids that bacteria develop during infection.

Moreover, the acids from bacteria mix with sugar and damage the tooth enamel, allowing cavities to grow.

How quickly do cavities spread?

It can take months to years to spread cavities among neighboring teeth. The cavities transfer through kissing, using the same toothbrush, and saliva transfer.

How do you know if a cavity has spread?

A general feeling of fatigue, mouth discomfort, and eating problems are actual signs of getting cavities.

However, a visit to the dentist can confirm cavity production through proper evaluation.