Tooth Loss in Adults (Age 20 to 64)

Overall, the prevalence of both partial and total tooth loss in adults has decreased from the early 1970s until the latest cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey oral health examination (2011–2016). In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups.

Tables 1 and 2 present information about tooth loss for adults aged 20 to 64 years and for selected population groups.

Number of Teeth Remaining (Table 1)

  • Adults 20 to 64 years have an average of 25.5 remaining teeth.
  • Older adults, Black adults, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education have fewer remaining teeth.

Percentage of Adults with Total Tooth Loss (Table 2)

  • 2.2% of adults 20 to 64 years have no remaining teeth.
  • Older adults, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to have no remaining teeth.

Table 1: Adults, Mean Number of Permanent Teeth Remaining

Mean number of permanent teeth among adults aged 20 to 64 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
Characteristic Mean Number of Permanent Teeth, 1999–2004 Mean Number of Permanent Teeth, 2011–2016
Age
20–34 years 26.9 27.0
35–49 years 25.0 25.5
50–64 years 22.2 23.4
Sex
Male 25.0 25.5
Female 24.9 25.5
Race and Ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic 25.2 25.7
Black, non-Hispanic 23.6 24.2
Mexican American 25.2 25.4
Poverty Status (Income compared to Federal Poverty Level)
Less than 100% 23.3 23.6
100% to 199% 23.5 24.4
Greater than 200% 25.5 26.1
Education
Less than High School 23.0 23.8
High School 24.3 24.5
More than High School 25.7 26.1
Smoking History
Current Smoker 23.3 23.5
Former Smoker 25.1 25.5
Never Smoked 25.6 26.1
Overall 24.9 25.5

 

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services; 2019.

Table 2: Adults, Percentage with No Remaining Teeth

Mean percentage of adults aged 20 to 64 years with no remaining teeth, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
Characteristic Percentage with no remaining teeth 1999–2004 Percentage with no remaining teeth 2011–2016
Age
20–34 years * *
35–49 years 2.7 1.6
50–64 years 10.3 5.6
Sex
Male 3.9 2.2
Female 3.7 2.1
Race and Ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic 4.0 2.4
Black, non-Hispanic 4.3 2.3
Mexican American 1.5 0.7
Poverty Status (Income compared to Federal Poverty Level)
Less than 100% 9.7 6.1
100% to 199% 6.5 3.7
Greater than 200% 2.4 1.1
Education
Less than High School  8.1 5.4
High School 5.4 3.2
More than High School 1.7 1.1
Smoking History
Current Smoker 8.2 6.2
Former Smoker 3.4 1.8
Never Smoked 1.6 0.8
Overall 3.8 2.2

* Not enough data

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services; 2019.

Last Reviewed
July 2022