World Cavity-Free Future Day Date in the current year: October 14, 2024

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries of cavities, is the breakdown of the hard tissues of the teeth caused by acids produced by bacteria from food debris. If untreated, it can lead to various complications, such as periodontal disease, infection, abscess formation, and even tooth loss.

It takes four things for cavities to form: the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel or dentin), caries-causing bacteria, sucrose or other fermentable carbohydrates, and time. Different people are susceptible to tooth decay to different degrees depending on a variety of factors, including the shape of their teeth, oral hygiene habits, the amount of sugars in their diet, the amount and quality of saliva in their mouths, etc.

Tooth decay treatment can be painful and expensive, so it is very important to take steps to prevent cavities. Prevention includes good oral hygiene (cleaning your teeth twice a day, flossing between the teeth daily, using an irrigator and mouthwash), avoiding sugary foods and drinks, and making sure that your body gets enough fluoride, which can be acquired from water, salt, or special toothpastes that are high in fluoride.

Despite being relatively easily preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in the world. According to statistics provided by the World Health Organization, 60-90% of school-aged children and almost 100% of adults around the world suffer from cavities. The disease can dramatically impact one’s quality of life, especially when it comes to low-income families that cannot afford proper treatment.

The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) was formed in 2010 by a group of dental professionals who wanted to raise awareness of dental caries. In 2016, the ACFF launched World Cavity-Free Day to highlight the importance of dental caries prevention by consolidating the efforts of stakeholders from different countries.

Every October 14, dental professionals, healthcare organizations, policy makers and activists from around the globe organize outreach events, professional webinars, school-based educational efforts, educational drives, free oral care consultations, and other activities to spread awareness of tooth decay and encourage people to focus on their oral hygiene.

World Cavity-Free Future Day events and activities usually focus on a certain theme. Past themes have included Helping Children at Home, The 3 Cavity-Free Commandments, Babies Are Sweet Enough, Smiles Across Generations, Help Us to Help You Keep Cavity-Free, and more.

For example, the 2021 World Cavity-Free Future Day focused on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health. The pandemic put a strain on healthcare systems around the world, and a lot of people did not have access to dental care, which resulted in an increase in cavities and other untreated dental issues.