Commonly known as cavities, dental caries are craters that develop when bacteria eats away at your teeth. Affecting people of every age, preventing cavities and keeping your oral health at a high standard are vital parts of daily life. Explore these facts about dental caries to ensure that you understand and are doing all you can to prevent the problem.

How Many People Have Dental Caries

• 92% of adults ages 20 to 64 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.
• 26% of adults ages 20 to 64 live with untreated decay
• Approximately 5% of adults aged 20-64 have no remaining teeth

These statistics show that dental caries, or cavities, are clearly a widespread threat that affects millions of American adults – in fact, at 92%, nearly everyone in the country has suffered from cavities before.

The fact that 26% of adults live with untreated decay reveals a lapse in oral health habits. Since visiting the dentist would be a sure way to diagnose this problem, it most likely speaks to a lack in realizing the importance of dental visits.

Ultimately, untreated cavities can lead to tooth loss. That’s reflected by the fact that about 5% of adults are missing all of their teeth. If there’s a lesson from these statistics, it’s that attending your dental visits and keeping your oral care habits consistent are valuable actions that show an investment into your oral health.

Dental Caries in Adolescents and Teens

• 59% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 have dental caries in their permanent teeth
• 20% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 have untreated tooth decay
• Issues like ethnicity and poverty status greatly affect the rate of dental care

It can be argued that teens are more likely to consume high sugar foods such as candy and soda than their older counterparts, which explains why they already have a high rate of decay. The other side of the coin is their oral care habits –  the majority of teens and adolescents have dental caries in their teeth because many of them are most likely skipping their brushing sessions.

As with all dental problems, dental caries are more prevalent in those who come from poor economic backgrounds or cultures where it’s more difficult to find the dental care they need.

Get Reliable Treatment for Your Cavities with Dr. Mitchell

One of the many reasons why it’s vital to keep up with your dental visits is because dentists are trained to spot dental diseases and other problems in their earliest stages. This means that rather than skipping an appointment and ending up with a mouthful of cavities, we can find them early, and use painless treatments that work. Ready for your next appointment? Contact us at Lakeshore Dental Care in Hamburg, NY for dental care that’s customized for you.