Even if you have the most stringent oral care regimen at home and visit the dentist multiple times a year, you can still get cavities. It sounds crazy, but research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine says otherwise. According to Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, 60 percent of the risk for tooth decay is due to genetic factors.
The remaining 40 percent is tied to your environment, meaning how much fluoride you consume and what your diet entails. While these are manageable, you may be surprised by the factors that predispose your risk to tooth decay. Here are five from your dentist in Irving.