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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), kids ages 2-11, on average, have 1.6 decayed baby teeth – with older kids ages 12-19 having, on average, 0.45 permanent teeth with tooth decay.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2018, 90.2 percent of adults in England had at least one tooth filling. The South West of England was the region with the highest prevalence of fillings with 93.8 percent of adults having at least one, while on the other hand less than 85 percent of adults in London have a tooth filling.
When you don't fill a cavity, bacteria can enter through the enamel and potentially reach the pulp or root, or the innermost layer of the tooth. This can lead to infection or death of the tooth, requiring a root canal or the tooth needing to be pulled.
People will only develop decay if the plaque and food are allowed to remain on the teeth for extended periods. So, if you brush thoroughly and remove all the plaque, no decay will develop. Similarly, if you eat a candy bar, but quickly remove the bits that stick in your mouth, you will not have a cavity.
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.
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.
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.
Pretty much everyone gets a cavity or two in their lifetime, even with good dental hygiene. The average American adult has three fillings. But if you tend to get a lot of cavities, you may be wondering why. Are you more cavity-prone than other people?
Yes. Your tooth will not be fully composed of your natural tissue any longer, which means that it's not quite as strong as it once was.
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.
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.
Adults of all ages need to know, dentists say, that cavities are not just for kids. The risk can even rise as we age. "It's as much a problem in seniors as it is in kids," says Judith Jones, a professor of general dentistry, health policy and health services research at Boston University.
Cavities are common in older adults in part because more adults are keeping their teeth for their lifetime. Because older adults often have receding gums, cavities are more likely to develop at the root of the tooth. Dry mouth also causes bacteria to build up in the mouth more easily, leading to tooth decay.
Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it's going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth. That's not good.