How common are cavities?

Among adults aged 20 and older, about 90% have had at least one cavity. 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 currently has at least one cavity.

How many cavities does an average person have?

Adults ages 20 to 64 years had an average of 9.3 decayed, missing, or filled teeth in 2011–2016.

How normal is it to get a cavity?

Most Americans don't make it into adulthood without at least a few cavities. In fact, more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 have had tooth decay in their permanent teeth. Unfortunately, the risk of tooth decay isn't something you can outgrow.

Is it OK to have cavities?

Cavities will not go away on their own. Instead, they will grow. The bigger a cavity gets, the more likely it is to create more serious issues with the teeth, gums, and even other parts of the body. Waiting can significantly increase the pain, expense, and risk to the patient's overall health.

Is it normal to get cavities in your 20s?

Tooth decay can happen at any age, although cavities are more common in children. They may not brush properly and consume more sugary foods and drinks. Adults also get cavities. Sometimes, new decay develops around the edges of cavities treated in childhood.

Tooth Truth: The common cavity myths

Is it normal to have 6 cavities?

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.

Why do I still get cavities if I brush my teeth 3 times a day?

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.

Is getting a cavity a big deal?

They're A Bigger Deal When Unnoticed Or Untreated

They get very big. They damage your tooth. An infection may form. You may then need the tooth removed!

Does everyone eventually get cavities?

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. Here's the thing: everyone has natural bacteria that lives in their mouth.

What is the normal age to get cavities?

Teeth start to appear as early as four months of age, and all primary (“baby”) teeth should be in place by age three. 42% of children develop cavities from age 2 to 11. Nearly 28% of children aged 2 to 5 develop a cavity.

Can you brush a cavity away?

A common question we receive from children and parents is, “can you brush away a cavity?” Once a cavity is fully formed in the tooth, unfortunately, it's impossible to just improve your brushing and make it go away. However, the early stages of a cavity can be reversed with good brushing habits.

Is it too late if a cavity hurts?

If your cavity hurts, it's not too late to save your tooth. When cavities are small, they tend not to hurt too much, but they'll start to cause pain as they grow. That's usually when you notice them. With a visit to your dentist in Wilmington, we can often save your tooth!

Is having cavities embarrassing?

Cavities are nothing to be embarrassed about, and they are definitely not something to try and ignore. Cavities that are not caught early on at your regular check-ups can cause tooth pain or aches, especially after ingesting hot, cold, sweet food or beverages.

Why do I get so many cavities even though I brush?

When you allow food and bacteria to sit between the teeth, the bacteria will start eating away at your tooth enamel and the tooth itself, forming a cavity. Once a cavity starts forming, there is no way to reverse the damage—you'll need to get it filled. Even flossing and brushing regularly won't help after the fact.

Why am I so prone to cavities?

Tooth shape, alignment, and composition.

Teeth with deep grooves in them are more likely to trap foods and develop cavities. Similarly, misaligned teeth may collect food particles and bacteria between them. If your genes have cursed you with thin tooth enamel, you may also be more prone to develop cavities.

How many fillings is too many?

There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.

Who is the oldest person with no fillings?

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.

Is it impossible to avoid cavities?

Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.

Is it rare to not have a cavity?

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's Dental Caries in Permanent (Adult) Teeth stats, most Americans don't make it to adulthood without at least a few cavities, and more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 have had some form of decay in their permanent teeth.

When is a cavity too late?

If you haven't been visiting the dentist, or you're delaying a filling, you're allowing that cavity to continue to grow. As the decay spreads, the cavity will eat its way deeper into the tooth. Eventually, it will reach the root, causing inflammation and infection within the root.

Do cavities go away forever?

Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.

How long should 3 cavities take?

The maximum time required for filling a moderate cavity doesn't exceed 40 minutes per tooth. Therefore if you have three intermediate holes, expect to spend about a couple of hours at the dentist's office to restore your tooth to full functionality with dental fillings.

What's a small cavity look like?

Often a cavity will look like a dark spot on the tooth, typically yellow, brown, or black in color. Early on, it may resemble tooth staining or a slight discoloration. As cavities progress, the holes get bigger and usually darker. A little dot can ultimately consume almost the entire tooth.

Can brushing twice remove cavities?

It's great that you are brushing conscientiously, but brushing twice a day alone is not enough to prevent cavities. The bristles of a toothbrush can remove a lot of the plaque from the surface of your teeth, but they can't get between your teeth to clean properly.