Overall, the prevalence of both partial and total tooth loss in seniors has decreased from the early 1970s until the latest (1999-2004) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups.
Tables 1 and 2 present information about tooth loss for seniors age 65 and over and for selected population groups.
Number of Teeth Remaining (Table 1)
- Seniors over age 65 have an average of 18.90 remaining teeth.
- Black seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education have fewer remaining teeth.
Number of Adults with Total Tooth Loss (Table 2)
- 27.27% of seniors over age 65 have no remaining teeth
- Older seniors, women, Black seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to have no remaining teeth.
Table 1: Seniors, Mean Number of Permanent Teeth Remaining
| Characteristic | Mean Number of Permanent Teeth |
|---|---|
| Age | |
| 65 to 74 years | 19.34 |
| 75 years or more | 18.36 |
| Sex | |
| Male | 19.03 |
| Female | 18.77 |
| Race and Ethnicity | |
| White, non-Hispanic | 19.39 |
| Black, non-Hispanic | 15.19 |
| Mexican American | 18.15 |
| Poverty Status Income compared to Federal Poverty Level) | |
| Less than 100% | 15.58 |
| 100% to 199% | 16.99 |
| Greater than 200% | 20.08 |
| Education | |
| Less than High School | 15.86 |
| High School | 18.10 |
| More than High School | 20.96 |
| Smoking History | |
| Current Smoker | 15.39 |
| Former Smoker | 18.16 |
| Never Smoked | 19.91 |
| Overall | 18.90 |
Data Source: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has been an important source of information on oral health and dental care in the United States since the early 1970s. Tables 1 and 2 present the latest NHANES (collected between 1999 and 2004) data regarding tooth decay (dental caries) in children.
Table 2: Seniors, Percent with No Remaining Teeth
| Characteristic | Percentage with no Remaining Teeth |
|---|---|
| Age | |
| 65 to 74 years | 23.93 |
| 75 years or more | 31.30 |
| Sex | |
| Male | 24.42 |
| Female | 29.30 |
| Race and Ethnicity | |
| White, non-Hispanic | 26.12 |
| Black, non-Hispanic | 32.81 |
| Mexican American | 23.90 |
| Poverty Status (Income compared to Federal Poverty Level) | |
| Less than 100% | 44.19 |
| 100% to 199% | 36.61 |
| Greater than 200% | 17.25 |
| Education | |
| Less than High School | 43.32 |
| High School | 28.28 |
| More than High School | 13.65 |
| Smoking History | |
| Current Smoker | 49.69 |
| Former Smoker | 28.69 |
| Never Smoked | 21.72 |
| Overall | 27.27 |
Data Source: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has been an important source of information on oral health and dental care in the United States since the early 1970s. Tables 1 and 2 present the latest NHANES (collected between 1999 and 2004) data regarding tooth decay (dental caries) in children.