4 ways you can ‘catch’ a cavity — the dental issue is actually contagious

The plaque thickens.

You know you can get cavities from eating too many sweets, but it turns out you can catch them from your sweetie as well.

“People carry over 700 types of bacteria in their mouths,” Dr. Elizabeth Walton, cofounder of dental chain Risas Dental, told reporters.

Dr. Elizabeth Walton, cofounder of dental chain Risas Dental, explains how you can get a cavity from your sweetie. Di Studio – stock.adobe.com

“When saliva is exchanged — whether through close contact, sneezing, or even sharing a straw — there’s potential for cavity-causing bacteria to spread.”

That means the bacteria that causes cavities — streptococcus mutans, to be precise — can be just as contagious as the common cold.

This nasty germ feeds on sugar and starches in your mouth, producing acids that erode enamel and lead to tooth decay — a process that can accelerate if you’ve got poor hygiene, smoke or aren’t getting enough fluoride.

Here are four surprising ways you can “catch” a cavity:

• Kissing. Swapping spit means swapping bacteria — and not just the good kind. Locking lips with someone who has untreated cavities could send those germs directly into your own mouth.
• Sharing food and drinks. One straw, two cavities. Drinking from the same cup or eating off the same fork can introduce new strains of decay-causing bacteria.
• Using the same toothbrush. This one should be a no-brainer, but some couples still share brushes — and that’s a fast track to both bacteria and blood-borne illnesses.
• Parent-to-child transfer. Moms and dads who pre-chew food or clean a dropped pacifier with their mouth can unknowingly pass cavity-causing bacteria to their kids.

“When saliva is exchanged — whether through close contact, sneezing, or even sharing a straw — there’s potential for cavity-causing bacteria to spread,” Walton said. áõÃâ¬Ã³ÃµÃ¹ ÃÅ¡ÃÆÃâ¡ÃÆóÃÆÃâ¬Ã½Ãâ¹Ã¹ – stock.adobe.com

According to a recent survey by Risas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts have the dubious honor of having the highest average number of cavities per person — over 6 in each state.

Georgia, Colorado and California report the lowest.

Want to keep your cavity count low?

Experts suggest hitting the pause button on sugary snacks and drinks, as well as making sure your whole family is keeping up with good dental habits.