By creating an acidic environment in your mouth, bacteria erode tooth enamel. Everyone has saliva as a natural defense against these bacteria; however, some people have enough nutrients in their saliva to remineralize the teeth enough to stop cavities in their tracks.
As with most bodily problems, genetics has an influence on oral health, including cavities. Certain people are more susceptible, whether it be by weaker tooth structure, oral and tooth anatomy, or from other factors. One way or another, genetics plays a role in the number of cavities a person has or will have.
Your genes affect your saliva's ability to prevent decay. We don't like to think about the dangerous bacteria in our mouth but, hopefully, our immune system is ever-vigilant at fighting their constant attempts to cause decay and gum disease. The stability of your immune system is determined, in part, by genetics.
Among adolescents aged 12 to 19, more than half (57%) have had a cavity in their permanent teeth. Among adults aged 20 and older, about 90% have had at least one cavity.
Few people make it through life without at least one cavity. Cavities are the result of tooth decay, and everyone is at some risk. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize your risk.
According to Ripley's Believe it or Not, Frank Medina is the “oldest man in the world with all his teeth who has never had a cavity." To what does Mr. Medina attribute his dental success? Eating hard breads and beans.
Young adults (20-39 years old)
Depending on oral health and prior dental care, the number of fillings in young adults can vary greatly. However, the frequency of cavity fillings for young adults is typically between 4 and 8.
Children of any age can get cavities, but they form faster in baby teeth than in adult (permanent) teeth. They can start to develop as soon as baby teeth come in, usually between 6 months to one year of age.
Frank Medina, otherwise known as the "King of Windmills," has never had a cavity in his life. That would not be so unusual, except that he is 94 years old. Ripley's Believe it or Not calls him the “oldest man in the world with all his teeth who has never had a cavity."
In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.
Though good oral hygiene that includes brushing and flossing helps in preventing cavities, you may still get cavities. The reasons can be many, like the spaces between teeth that easily trap food, consuming too much cavity-causing foods and beverages, avoiding regular professional-level cleanings and checkups, etc.
Contrary to popular belief, it's possible to not get cavities. Even though having a cavity filled isn't as painful or invasive as it used to be, it's still important to protect your teeth from damage and decay. In addition to saving the natural form of your teeth, you'll also save some money.
Cavities are one of the most common health problems. Over 90% of adults in the US have had at least one cavity in their mouth. On average, adult patients have had around 3-4 cavities in their lifetime.
Tooth decay, an infectious disease -- is the second most common disease, after the common cold. One in four adults have cavities, and more than half of teenagers in the US have had cavities. Oral health is often taken for granted, but it is an essential part of our everyday lives.
Remember that a very, very small percentage of the population is immune to the development of cavities. As a result, you can brush and floss your smile and occasionally deal with the need for a dental filling, while your friend puts forth less effort than you and never requires a filling.
A new study found that humans living in Sudan about 2,000 years ago were actually preventing cavities by eating a plant called the purple nutsedge. Today, purple nutsedge is an aggressive weed that we do everything possible to contain. But back then, it may have been the key to decay prevention.
By adulthood, about 92% of people have had cavities. This is especially true of people between 20 and 64 years old. The percentage of cavities as well as tooth loss and associated gum disease increases after age 65.
People who lived in Sudan 2,000 years ago, for example, chewed purple nutsedge, a bitter weed whose antibacterial properties warded away cavity-causing bacteria, according to National Geographic.
Decay most often occurs in your back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have lots of grooves, pits and crannies, and multiple roots that can collect food particles. As a result, they're harder to keep clean than your smoother, easy-to-reach front teeth. Certain foods and drinks.
Philippines. This island nation located in between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea takes the cake (literally and figuratively) of the worst oral health in the world.
Can a Cavity Be Reversed? Yes, you can reverse a cavity if it's caught in the early stages of demineralization.
How many cavities can a dentist fill at once? Dentists may fill as many cavities as the patient is comfortable with having filled. With this being said, in most cases, dentists do not recommend having more than 3 cavities filled in one sitting.
Genetics – Some people are simply born being more susceptible to the type of bacteria that cause cavities.
The lifetime of a dental filling
Dental fillings that are made of metal or gold materials are known to last upwards of 20 years. On the flip side, more modern materials such as porcelain should also last a while, however, typically, not more than 10 years.