Are Cavities A Kissing Disease? The Truth About What Causes Them

📌 Contact Smile More Dentistry: https://www.dentist-tappan.com or https://www.washingtondentalnj.com Can you actually catch cavities from kissing someone? I watched a college kid come home with six cavities in one year, and my husband's first question to his mom was whether he had a girlfriend. She was not thrilled. But the science behind that question is more real than most people think. In this episode, I'm going to explain what actually causes cavities, why the bacteria behind them can pass through saliva, and why two people who eat the same way can end up with completely different cavity histories. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Are Cavities A Kissing Disease? The Truth About What Causes Them 0:49 How a cavity actually starts 1:07 Why sugar is not the real villain 1:41 The all day sipping and snacking trap 2:26 What I actually ask patients who keep getting cavities 2:50 The kissing bacteria connection explained 3:28 Why filling the hole is not the real fix 3:59 Why saliva matters more than you think 4:21 Fluoride, brushing, and crowded teeth 5:22 Why the best dentistry is the least dentistry ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Can kissing actually cause cavities? Cavity causing bacteria can be passed through saliva, so kissing can share the bacteria involved in tooth decay. Whether that bacteria actually turns into a cavity still depends on your diet, saliva, and oral hygiene. Why do I get cavities even though I do not eat much sugar? Cavities are caused by repeated acid attacks on the teeth, not just sugar itself. Sipping coffee, snacking often, or drinking juice throughout the day can create constant acid exposure even without eating dessert. Why do some people suddenly start getting cavities after years of having none? A sudden change often means saliva protection has dropped, which can happen from new medications, mouth breathing, or aging. Less saliva means acid attacks last longer and the enamel has less chance to recover. 📱 RESOURCES Smile More Dentistry (Tappan, NY): https://www.dentist-tappan.com Washington Dental Associates (NJ): https://www.washingtondentalnj.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/smilemorelivemore FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmileLiveGive IG: https://www.instagram.com/smilelivegive IG: https://www.instagram.com/washingtondentalnj 🔔 If you want more episodes like this, subscribe. There are a lot of things people do every day thinking they are helping their teeth when they may actually be covering up the problem. ABOUT DR. MARILIZA LACAP Dr. Mariliza LaCap is a dentist and cosmetic dentist with 35 years of clinical experience, having personally treated more than 15,000 patients and currently caring for 6,300 active patients across three generations of families. She is the founder and CEO of Smile More Dentistry in Tappan, New York and Washington Dental Associates in New Jersey, where she vets, hires, and trains every doctor on her team to deliver five star, whole mouth dental care. Dr. LaCap graduated from Columbia University Dental School on an academic scholarship in 1991, in the top 10 percent of her class, and has earned the Excellence in Orthodontic Award and Excellence in Periodontics Award. She is also a best selling co-author of "Dare to Succeed" with Jack Canfield and Dr. Darren Tong, and "Inside Job" with Dr. Darren Tong. Known as the "facelift denture dentist," her mission is simple: Smile More, Live More, Give More. #DentalHealth #DentistTips #OralHygiene #GumHealth #DentalCare