Tokushinkai Medical Corporation Group

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Pediatric dentistry
pediatrics

FAQ

Can a parent's cavities be transmitted to their child?

Tooth decay itself is not contagious,Causes of tooth decayThe bacteria that cause tooth decay are:salivaSince it spreads from person to person through the mouth, it is quite possible for it to be transmitted from a family member's mouth to a child. A common example is when a child eats food from their mother's mouth or eats with chopsticks or a spoon that their mother used. If you do the above, your child will be more likely to develop cavities if infected by a family member who has cavity-causing bacteria. For families with small children, it is important to first take proper care and treatment for your own teeth, and keep the cavity-causing bacteria at a low level.