Gangdong-gu Dental Clinic: Can Cavities Be Contagious?? Can They Spread to Other Teeth?

Hello~

This is Jang Tae-hyeon, chief director of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic!!

Even if you have a cavity, there are cases where treatment is not immediately possible due to circumstances.

At times like this, the part patients worry about most is

I’ll get it treated in a few months...

Can cavities be contagious?

Let me give you the answer to this question~!! Gangdong-gu Dental Clinic: Can Cavities Be Contagious?? Can They Spread to Other Teeth?

This is especially a good article for parents caring for newborns.

Many people who visit the Gangdong-gu dental clinic ask, “Can cavities be contagious?”

First, you need to understand how cavities develop.

Cavities do not simply happen because you eat a lot of sugar or sweet foods!

They are an infectious disease caused by the action of cavity-causing bacteria (mutans streptococci).

They are not visible, but they are present in saliva.

Then, can cavities be contagious?

Can cavity-causing bacteria spread?

Cavity-causing bacteria themselves can be transmitted between people.

In fact, when babies are born, they do not have cavity-causing bacteria.

So the reason people say not to kiss a young child or not to share a spoon used by the parent with the child is

because the parent’s cavity-causing bacteria may be passed to the child.

Feeding a child by chewing food first and giving it to them is also risky...

Recently on TV, there was a scene where a parent wanted to kiss a child... but was worried about passing on cavity-causing bacteria,

so they kissed the child after putting plastic wrap on the child’s face.

It’s a small action to help prevent cavities!! (From mouth to mouth ㅠㅠ)

In fact, studies show that the more cavities parents have, the higher the child’s risk of developing cavities because cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted to the child.

Poor gum health is also strongly influenced by genetics,

and so is underbite.

(The scary world of DNAㅠㅠ)

Therefore, parents should manage their own oral health and avoid sharing utensils with their children!!

Can cavities spread to other teeth?

Cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted to other people, but the bacteria in a tooth that already has a cavity do not simply spread to the neighboring tooth as it is.

However, as a cavity progresses, it spreads deeper and can affect adjacent teeth as well.

In particular, interproximal cavities, which are called “between-teeth cavities,” occur between teeth, so if a cavity develops on one side, it can affect the neighboring tooth and is likely to decay together.

https://blog.naver.com/implant_master/223656494457

I mentioned the dangers of interproximal cavities once before~~

Because of this, if a cavity is found between teeth, prompt treatment is necessary.

Cavities on the chewing surface can be monitored with regular checkups every 3–6 months!!

Interproximal cavity between teeth, 2023-07-08

Conclusion Cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted between people,

but the bacteria in a tooth where a cavity has developed do not directly spread to other teeth.

However, because cavities between teeth can affect each other and are highly likely to decay together, early treatment is essential.

Let’s make brushing a daily habit!!

Interproximal cavities can be prevented with dental floss!

Since brushing alone cannot prevent cavities 100%, keep sweet foods in moderation~ Brushing after eating is essential!!

You should also make flossing a habit.

Have all your questions been answered?

A chewing-surface cavity that can be observed, 2024-04-01

The best time to treat a cavity is as early as possible...

But depending on whether it formed on the chewing surface or between the teeth...

whether to monitor it.. or treat it right away can differ.

If you have any additional questions, please leave a “comment”!!!

| This post was written directly by Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Advertising Act. Please use the information provided for reference only, and for symptom assessment and accurate management methods, please visit a medical institution and receive guidance from medical professionals. All procedures/surgeries performed at the dental clinic may have possibilities of side effects by individual (inflammation, bleeding, swelling, etc.). Please make decisions after sufficient consultation with medical professionals in advance. The treatment cases in this post were photographed with the consent of patients who completed treatment at our clinic, and the before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions. |

#cavitycontagion #Gangdong-guDentalClinic