Dental decay is a serious problem that left untreated can lead to infection, tooth loss, and severe tooth aches. One of the important things to understand about cavities is that they get worse over time. The longer a cavity is untreated the deeper the decay gets into the tooth. This is why dental issues can start with just a little bit of enamel deterioration and eventually lead to tooth loss, infections, or root canals. But a common question is whether or not cavities can go from one tooth to another. Cavities are “contagious” so to speak. The root cause of cavities is bacteria growth. Bacteria spreads easily, so if you have a cavity where there is a lot of bacteria, it can easily move from the tooth that it is into the surrounding teeth.
The term “cavity” refers to a hole or divet in a tooth caused by bacteria growth. This happens because bacteria is quite literally eating away at the material that makes up your teeth. Bacteria gets into our mouths when it goes from our hands to our mouths or from being on the surface of food. At first, the bacteria can rely on the material in the food to grow and replicate, but it can also begin to erode the outermost layers of the tooth. The longer this goes on the deeper the bacteria will go into that tooth. This can lead to the bacteria infecting the body through the soft tissue that is deep inside the tooth. This leads to an infection, abscesses, or severe toothaches.
Like any illness or infection that involves bacteria, it is spreadable. An increase in bacteria in your mouth due to poor oral hygiene can quickly lead to cavities.
A dental filling works by removing the damaged section of a tooth, cleaning it, and then replacing the lost tooth material with a synthetic material. This does not permanently prevent a new cavity from forming but removes the existing bacteria. New bacteria can get into your mouth, grow, and lead to new decay, which is why regular dental visits, consistent oral habits, and a good diet can all help prevent ongoing oral issues.
It can often surprise people, but yes, in a sense, dental cavities can spread if people share food/beverages. In the same way that you are more likely to catch a cold if you are around people who are sick if you are sharing food/beverages, or kissing someone who has a lot of bacteria in their mouth, that bacteria can get into your mouth. In fact, it is often recommended to avoid sharing food with younger children since they are already at a higher risk of getting a cavity due to their developing smiles and difficulty brushing and flossing.
The best defense against cavities is dental checkups. Regular exams can find the signs of cavities early and help prevent them from getting worse or spreading. For more information, please give us a call.
