Cavities Can Be Contagious, How Come?

Sahabat Hermina, many people think that the cause of cavities is always associated with eating sweet foods or not maintaining dental and oral hygiene. But in fact, it's not only those two things, there are other causes that many people often don't realize. Even researchers found that the cause of cavities can actually be contagious.

How Cavities

are damage that occurs to tooth enamel (outer layer), and is said to be a contagious disease because it is caused by infection with the Streptococcus mutans.^1,2 These bacteria can move through droplets or saliva. Streptococcus mutans bacteria under normal conditions in the oral cavity are commensal (not harmful / good).³ 

Cavities occur due to changes in the composition of microorganisms in the oral cavity which causes commensal bacteria to turn into pathogens. These changes can occur due to several factors, namely nutrition, temperature, humidity, and pH in the oral cavity. Because, cavities are not caused by foreign pathogens but by normal bacteria that turn destructive, their transmission is different from other infectious diseases², such as: 

• A poor oral environment determines the cariogenicity of bacteria. Acid-producing bacteria (acidogenic and aciduric's teeth host, so that caries can affect one tooth and another in the host.⁵
• Transmission of cavities between individuals can occur due to the exchange of saliva which allows the transmission of bacteria that can occur vertically or horizontally.³

Vertically, bacterial transmission occurs between mothers and children, fathers and children, and between caregivers and children.^3,4 In fact, infants and children are very susceptible to contracting Streptococcus mutans. Mothers who are at risk of transmitting Streptococcus mutans bacteria are mothers who have active caries and poor OH.⁵ According to research by Damle et al, habits such as blowing and licking food, sharing food, cutlery, toothbrushes and other toiletries, and doing other activities together can result in the transfer of Streptococcus mutans from parent to child.^3-6

To prevent transmission of cavities, it is best to prevent the transfer of Streptococcus mutans to your little one. fan the food until the temperature of the food becomes warm. This method is more effective. In addition, the habit of kissing babies or children by parents or other adults can be a means of transferring Streptococcus mutans to your little one's oral cavity.⁶ That's why, don't carelessly kiss babies. especially if caregivers or parents do not maintain healthy teeth and mouth.

Horizontally, transmission of bacteria to children occurs between friends in various ways, for example sharing cutlery (plates, spoons, glasses), as well as things that allow saliva transfer (putting toys to mouth).^3,4

Apart from children, bacterial transmission can also occur in adults. Kissing with people who have poor oral and dental health carries a risk of transferring bacteria through saliva.⁸ Several studies have revealed that if someone kisses a person who has cavities due to infection with Streptococcus mutans, these bacteria will move and cause cavities in that person.

However, it should be noted that cavities are a multifactorial disease, which means that they occur due to several continuous factors, so there are many ways to treat and prevent cavities.

How to Overcome Cavities

How to deal with cavities varies, depending on the conditions experienced, including:

• Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment is carried out if the teeth are in good condition (no caries or cavities or cavities have been treated) Fluoride treatment will help strengthen teeth against attack bacteria. Fluoride treatment options can be in the form of gels, liquids, foams, or medications that are applied to the surface of the teeth.

• Tooth Fillings

Treatment by filling teeth is done if the teeth have cavities. During the tooth filling process, the doctor will remove the damaged tooth with a drill. After the damaged tooth is removed, then the next process is the tooth filling process. Dental fillings will use special materials such as tooth-colored fillings, such as composite resin fillings, porcelain crowns and metal crowns.

• The Crown

Choice of making a crown will be chosen if the tooth decay has spread and the condition of the tooth is weakened. The crown procedure is performed by placing a denture crown over the cavities. Before placing a dental crown, the doctor will remove the part of the tooth that has been damaged and leave a small portion as a foundation. If so, then a denture crown will be placed on top of it. Denture crowns are made with the same materials as dentures, namely porcelain, resin composite, or gold.

• Root Canal Treatment

Dental root canal treatment is done if the damage has reached the root of the tooth. This treatment is performed to repair and save teeth that have been badly damaged without having to remove the teeth, so that they can function again.

• Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is usually done if the perforated tooth has been badly damaged and cannot be recovered. The act of removing cavities will leave gaps. To overcome this, you can install dentures or dental implants.

Cavities can also cause pain. To overcome this, you can do this by avoiding foods and drinks that are too hot or cold. Apart from that, you can also take pain relievers as an emergency solution if needed.

How to Take Care of Cavities

How to care for cavities is not easy. However, you shouldn't ignore it. This is to prevent further damage to cavities. Do the following:

• Don't forget to brush your teeth twice a day, namely morning and night.
• Use mouthwash after brushing your teeth.
• Reduce consumption of sweet or sour foods.
• Reduce the habit of snacking, especially at night before going to bed.
• Drink lots of water.
• Consume calcium-rich foods.
• Regular consumption of vegetables and fruit to meet daily nutritional needs.
• Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to prevent cavities.
• Avoid tobacco consumption.
• Regular dental check-ups.

Well, if these cavities are not handled properly, they will trigger more severe damage which can cause toothache, infection, tooth loss or other complications. Therefore, always keep your teeth and mouth clean. Salam sehat.

 

References

1. Caufield PW, Griffen AL. Dental caries. An infectious and transmissible disease. Pediatric Clinic North Am. 2000 Oct;47(5):1001-19, v. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70255-8. PMID: 11059347.
2. Caufield PW, Li Y, Dasanayake A. Dental caries: an infectious and transmissible disease. Compend Contin Educate Dent. 2005 May;26(5 Suppl 1):10-6. PMID: 17036539.
3. Esra K, Nurhan O, Yilmaz AD, Berrin O. Vertical and Horizontal Transmission of Streptococcus Mutans and Effective Factors: An In Vivo Study. Journal of Advanced Oral Research. 2020;11(2):172-179. doi:10.1177/2320206820942694
4. Manchanda S, Sardana D, Liu P, Lee GHM, Lo ECM, Yiu CKY. Horizontal Transmission of Streptococcus mutans in Children and its Association with Dental Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pediatr Dent 2021;43(1):E1-E12.
5. Mount, GJ, Hume, WR, Ngo, HC, & Wolff, MS (2016). Preservation and restoration of tooth structure. (3rd ed.) John Wiley & Sons.
6. Sakai et al. Knowledge and attitude of parents or caretakers regarding the transmissibility of os caries disease. J Appl. Oral Sci 2008;16(2):150-154.
7. Damle et al. Transmission of mutans streptococci in mother-child pairs. Indian J Med Res 2016;144(2):264-270.
8. Kort R, Caspers M, van de Graaf A, van Egmond W, Keijser B, Roeselers G. Shaping the oral microbiota through intimate kissing. Microbiome. 2014 Nov 17;2:41. doi: 10.1186/2049-2618-2-41. PMID: 25408893; PMCID: PMC4233210.