Not to mention the Freudian observation that babies put
everything in their mouth.

You could always go gnotobiotic <hehe>

Dale wrote:
"I remember reading in this group once that S. Mutans was the main cause
of tooth decay.
    Someone posted, '...no S. Mutans, no tooth decay." ( IIRC
this was
disputed by another poster).
    But the thread had started with someone asking why some
people have considerable decay while others enjoy excellent dental
health with minimal care -- and why, if S. Mutans is the culprit, some
people have it and others do not.
    IOW, how do people get it? Is it typically contracted at an
early age? Can it be at any age?
    Do people acquire S. Mutans from other people? ( i.e.
kissing, sharing
eating utensils, etc.) '
***********************************************
Steve wrote:
                "I certainly have only a
clinical (not research) expertise in cariology. But I believe some other
bacterial species have been implicated as well, though certainly S.
mutans is the most consistently named.
                Circulating salivary
immunoglobulins are also said to modulate caries activity.
                Yes, there has to be
implantation of the bacterium in the mouth--usually early in
life--whether by oral contact, sharing eating utensils, etc. Certain
studies (that naturally I don't have at my fingertips) have proposed a
similar mechanism for some periodontal-associated microbes."
 **********************************************
 I have requied periodic dental work (cavities filled, etc.) throughout
my life since I was a child.  I am starting to date someone with perfect
teeth...I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.
 Might she begin to have dental problems (caries) due to kissing
someone who has?
 Is the likely reason for the pristine condition of her teeth that
there is no S. Mutans present?
 This is the basis of my inquiry -- seems as though tooth decay is
arguably just another contagious disease.
 She does take very good care of her teeth, nonetheless.
TIA