Can kissing on the mouth give you cavities?

Ha! I got your attention didn't I? You're probably thinking this is one of those "dumb blonde" questions, but seriously, my boyfriend has bad teeth and some of them are starting to fall out, he claims because his mom didn't take him to the dentist when he was younger. He does brush every day now. :) LOL Anyway, I'm wondering if open mouth kissing could give me bad teeth? I've never had such problems with my teeth before and now suddenly I have 10 cavities, 2 needing caps, and it's only been a year since I've been to the dentist, when I had one cavity, got it filled, and everything else was fine (or so they claimed). I brush 2-3 times a day and floss EVERY night, so I don't understand where all the cavities came from. The dentist was completely floored as well. I'm wondering if there's something weird going on that I should know about so that I can correct it! Yes, I realize some of you are going to get a big laugh out of this question, but that's OK. hehe :P

Can kissing on the mouth give you cavities?
Yes, bacteria cause cavities and gum disease. Kissing spreads bacteria. Mothers and fathers transfer bacteria to their new born through kissing, washing off their face with their saliva, and testing their food. We are not born with the bacteria it gets introduced to us.


I would say that although this bacteria is introduced to you, it also takes some other circumstances to create a cavity. If you have an increase in acid levels in your saliva, the enamel will eventually have a break through. Sometimes it takes several years for the enamel to finally need repair. There is a constant flux of acid/neutral going on in your mouth. Going to bed with sugar acids on your teeth will cause major problems because the mouth is more dry during sleeping. Drinking 1 soft drink that contains sugar all day long can cause major problems because you are constantly keeping the acid level up. It takes about 30 minutes to go from an acid to a neutral. So, if you sip every few minutes....it starts the clock again.


I would have you start brushing with a prescription type fluoride toothpaste at night or provide you with a fluoride varnish treatment.





You both should try chewing or sucking on a Xylitol type product 3-5 times a day after meals. You can find these products best at a health food store or online. Check out http://www.xylitol.com


Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that the bacteria love but can not digest. This eventually kills them. Killing the bacteria will obviously help you both out. It won't correct decay, just help stop further problems.
Reply:No. Ggggrrroooooooosss me out.
Reply:no
Reply:what did you think
Reply:Only if you are dating Willy Wonka
Reply:are you eating or drinking more sugary things now?
Reply:Why didn't you ask your dentist? It really is a dumb blonde question!
Reply:i dont believe that it can but please will u and your boyfriend do me a favor and brush ur teeth he may have not went to the dentist as a kid but neither did my brother and his teeth r fine
Reply:Some people just have bad teeth. My dentist seems to think it's genetic. All dentist don't believe that though. I had very good teeth until about my senior year in high school and then all of the sudden I started getting cavities and had to get 2 root canals. I know how you feel...





But quit kissing the guy with teeth falling out of his head, he doesn't sound too cute!
Reply:Yes, you can get terrible cavities, RUN AWAY%26lt;RUN FAR AWAY... LOL Just kidding.... But seriously why would you kiss someone who has disgusting teeth that are falling out, take him to a dentist
Reply:No way that isn't true at all! But that is nasty!
Reply:Yes it is possible. I read an article in a parenting magazine about that. There are different germs that inhabit each persons mouth. There is a certain type of bacteria that can be transfer ed and cause you to start have cavities.





Sorry. I even added a link to sight that can give you more information about it.
Reply:No you can't. You probably changed an eating habbit or possibly your tap water is not being treated like it should be. The best thing to do is ask your dentist.
Reply:no you can not catch bad teeth. You may need to add some things to your teeth cleaning regimen. Try the restore brand in tooth cleaning care. It helps keep cavities away and help to strengthen them. Also some drugstores carry an all fluoride toothpaste called gempak I think. This adds fluoride to your teeth that help make them stronger and can keep things like that from happening again. And it is not a dumb question. There is no such thing. Good luck. I hope your teeth get better!
Reply:Yes!! Im actually a dental assisting- and im on my journey to becoming a dentist. Caries (Cavities) are caused by bacteria in your saliva formed by carbohydrates. The bacteria in particular are called Mutans Streptococci and like most bacteria- they are contagious. Caries are highly contagious, and just like anything else- if u get the caries-causing bacteria into your mouth from his- it can easily cause you to have caries as well.
Reply:i was like woow! so much detail whilst teh question was simple. my answer- well you cant get cavities when you kiss, i just dont understand how this can happen. If you feel that your dentist is not listning or not giving proper 'answers' then go to another one.
Reply:Streptococcus mutans is the causative bacteria which causes cavities. Your boyfriend obviously has a grossly infected mouth with this bacterium. You are now very much infected with that bacteria also. Your boyfriend, because of his very poor dental hygiene, will act as a continuing source of infection until his problem is corrected. If you try to correct your problem by good home care and the use of chlorhexidine rinses and correcting your decayed areas, you will only get re infected each time you kiss him.


You need to break the cycle. First he needs to get all of his teeth fixed, then begin a rigorous job of cleaning accompanied by chlorhexidine rinses to kill off the beasties. While he is doing that, you need to do the same. With good luck and good management, you could eliminate the problem.





On a different note...why would you want to french kiss someone with teeth that bad? It really would turn my stomach, but different strokes for different folks.


Best of luck clearing up the problem.
Reply:Nice to see most people know the answer is no. However a "dentist in training" states ""Yes!! Im actually a dental assisting- and im on my journey to becoming a dentist. Caries (Cavities) are caused by bacteria in your saliva formed by carbohydrates. The bacteria in particular are called Mutans Streptococci and like most bacteria- they are contagious. Caries are highly contagious, and just like anything else- if u get the caries-causing bacteria into your mouth from his- it can easily cause you to have caries as well.""


AS this person claims knowledge I must dispel this terrible answer. Decay is indeed partly caused by bacteria (strep mutans among others), however we all carry these bacteria and their number will increase to decay causing levels only if they are fed (sugar etc) and if allowed to adhere to teeth (not cleaned).


dont worry about kissing your boyfriend but tell him if he is old enough to kiss a lady he is old enough to take responsibility for his own mouth
Reply:Ok my dentist said YES.... my mother has a very unhealthy bacteria in her mouth that she appearantly passed on to my child (her granddaughter) by sharing food. I have since crossed paths with a few articles in parenting mags that say avoid kissing your baby on the mouth to avoid spreading cartain bacteria that cause cavities.