Would you ever believe that something as simple as sharing a spoon with your grandkid could put their teeth—and yours—at risk for cavities that are, yes, actually contagious?

At a Glance

• Cavities can be spread from person to person via bacteria in saliva, turning a personal health issue into a community concern.
• Dental experts like Dr. Elizabeth Walton are sounding the alarm about how everyday behaviors—kissing, sharing utensils, even sneezing—can transmit the germs that cause tooth decay.
• States show wide disparities in cavity rates, with some regions seeing far more decay than others, often linked to education and behavior.
• Dental chains like Risas Dental are leading campaigns to educate families, emphasizing prevention in a world where oral bacteria don’t respect personal boundaries.

Cavities: Not Just a Personal Problem Anymore

Once upon a time, we thought cavities were just about eating too much candy or skipping a brush before bed. Turns out, that’s only half the story—welcome to the era where you can “catch” a cavity from someone else. The main culprit? Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that loves the cozy, sugar-rich environment of the human mouth. When you swap spit—through a kiss, sharing a fork, or even an innocent sneeze—those bacteria can jump ship and start a new life in someone else’s mouth. It’s like a bacterial open border policy, and nobody’s even talking about building a wall for that.

4 ways you can ‘catch’ a cavity — the dental issue is actually contagious https://t.co/d4BG6m3jYn pic.twitter.com/d7xsZKhGCH

— New York Post (@nypost) July 12, 2025

Dr. Elizabeth Walton, co-founder and Clinical Director of Pediatrics at Risas Dental, isn’t mincing words: “When saliva is exchanged—whether through close contact, sneezing, or even sharing a straw—there’s potential for cavity-causing bacteria to spread.” It’s not just theory. Studies and surveys highlight how these bugs are hopping from person to person, especially in families. Kids are most at risk, often getting their first dose of tooth-trouble bacteria from a loving parent or caregiver who just wanted to taste-test the applesauce. In some states, like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the cavity count per person is through the roof, while places like Colorado and California seem to fare better. The difference? It’s not just the water—it’s the habits and the awareness, and who’s teaching them.

Watch a report: Death by tooth infection

The Experts Speak: Contagion, Consequences, and Common Sense

The dental world isn’t new to this. For decades, pediatric dentists have warned that sharing oral hygiene tools, food, or drink with your kids is a surefire way to pass along more than just family recipes. Yet, public awareness is still lagging. That’s why Risas Dental, under Dr. Walton’s leadership, is stepping up, not just offering affordable care but also pushing family-wide education. Their message is simple: prevention isn’t just about brushing and flossing, it’s about stopping the spread—literally—of cavity-causing germs.

Media outlets are finally catching on, amplifying these warnings and sharing practical tips. But here’s the kicker: changing habits is as tough as ever. People are frustrated, and who can blame them? After years of government overreach, failed public health messaging, and so-called “experts” pushing one agenda after another, it’s hard to know who to trust. But the science here is clear, and it doesn’t require a government mandate—just good old-fashioned common sense, and maybe a little more personal responsibility. Imagine that.

Prevention: The Real Family Plan

What’s the path forward? Dr. Walton and her colleagues recommend a simple but radical approach: treat cavities as a communicable disease, not just a personal failing. That means family-wide dental hygiene routines, avoiding sharing utensils or toothbrushes, and regular dental checkups. For once, this isn’t about the government telling you what to do—it’s about empowering families to protect themselves. Dental chains like Risas Dental are leading the charge, offering family plans and ramping up education, especially in communities that have often been left behind.

There’s also a broader economic angle here. Better prevention means fewer dental bills, less lost work or school time, and healthier families. But it requires that people take these warnings seriously and adjust their behaviors—something that’s easier said than done, especially when so much of the culture is stuck in its ways. Still, with the latest research and a growing awareness, the hope is that more Americans will choose to keep their bacteria (and their cavities) to themselves. After all, in a world where everything seems to be somebody else’s problem, maybe it’s time we take back control of our own mouths, one family at a time.