Adult Caries
 Risk factors shared by adults & children include:
- High bacterial counts
- Family history of caries
- Frequent consumption of sugar-containing foods and beverages
- Inadequate fluoride
- Poor oral hygiene practices and behaviors
- Lower socioeconomic status and limited resources
In addition, adult caries can be accelerated by physiologic changes of aging, disease, and treatment effects.
Physical Disabilities
- Make brushing and other oral hygiene activities more difficult
Existing Restorations or Appliances
- Markers for previous caries and a risk factor for future caries
- Appliances can trap food and plaque
- Most likely site of caries in an adult
Decreased Salivary Flow
- Caused by disease or medication
- Xerostomia (dry mouth) places a patient at much higher caries risk
Medications
- Increase caries risk by:
- Decreasing saliva flow
- High levels of sucrose
- Sweetened medications such as syrups may increase sugar exposure
Examples of severe caries and broken and decayed teeth
Steven Lepowsky, DDS
John McDowell, DDS
Joanna Douglass, BDS, DDS