While over 5% of adults in the U.S – aged from 20- 64 – have no teeth, a whopping 92% of adults within the same age group of 20-64 have had incidences of Dental Caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity, in their permanent teeth, according to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Dental Caries occurs when acid-producing bacteria slowly erodes the hard tooth structure and forms cavities (or holes) in your teeth. The tricky part is that you might not even know if you have Dental Caries. While it usually starts out as a lesion which is “chalky white” and eventually turns into a brownish spot, ultimately, if proper care is not taken or if corrective steps are not taken, it turns into a cavity.

Another interesting find has been that incidents of Dental caries are found more often in adults who live in higher-income households , with more education. It is suggested that the effect of a deteriorating diet, extravagant lifestyles, and other lifestyle elements like smoking, drinking, etc. effect the rate of dental caries.

Want to know if you have Dental Caries or other incidents of Tooth Decay? Vistiing your dentists for your regular check-ups is the best way to identify and treat dental caries. In the meantime, practice good oral health habits such as brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.