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Is dental caries contagious?

Parents are usually surprised if their children develop caries in early childhood. And if they have taken good care of their children’s teeth and deprived them of sweets, they simply cannot understand where the caries came from. However, the fact is that dental caries is extremely contagious. It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus Mutans and is easily transmitted from adults to children.

It was earlier considered that the main cause of caries was sugar, knowing that it sticks to teeth, ultimately leading to decay. Although we know now that sugar is not the main cause of caries, it certainly contributes to it as the bacterium that causes it feeds on the remnants of food on the teeth, particularly sugar and carbon-hydrates. It produces an acid that destroys tooth enamel. The softening of enamel is the beginning of caries. The moment caries reaches the dentin layer, which is right beneath the enamel, it starts spreading increasingly fast. This is exactly why it is so important to visit your dentist regularly, because if nothing is done, the tooth will decay more and more. Finally, caries reaches the nerve within the tooth and that is when the pain starts.

Babies and children are particularly sensitive to this bacterium as the flora of their oral cavity has only started to develop. This is why it is important for parents not to put their children’s pacifiers and spoons in their own mouth and to take care of their own teeth. They should not drink from their children’s glasses or try their food. The likelihood of the child being infected rises with the number of bacteria and oral infections in the parent’s mouth. Therefore, do not be guided by the philosophy that everything is fine should there be no pain. The problem is that when the tooth starts to ache, it means that it has already been greatly damaged, and the caries may infect the adjacent tooth as well. 

The best prevention for caries is regular tooth brushing and flossing. Furthermore, limiting the amounts of sugar and carbon-hydrates will increase the chances of maintaining strong enamel. If you are not able to brush your teeth right after a meal, then at least take a sugarless chewing gum in order to stimulate the production of saliva, thus neutralising the acid, or drink water in order to rinse food particles.

All fizzy non-alcoholic beverages, even ordinary juice, destroy tooth enamel.  If you are unable to give them up, then at least use a straw in order to limit tooth exposure. It goes without saying that genetics plays a rather significant role in tooth decay, and as a result some people have naturally stronger enamel, while others have a greater number of harmful bacteria. 

Dental caries is a part of our life and the aging process, but good quality oral care and hygiene, as well as regular check-ups, may significantly contribute to your oral health.