Tooth Loss in Seniors

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

Tables 1 and 2 present information about tooth loss for seniors aged 65 years and older and for selected population groups.

Number of Teeth Remaining (Table 1)

  • Seniors 65 years and older have an average of 20.7 remaining teeth.
  • Older seniors, Black and Hispanic seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education have fewer remaining teeth.

Percentage of Seniors with Total Tooth Loss (Table 2)

  • 17.3% of seniors 65 years and older 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

Mean number of permanent teeth among seniors aged 65 years and older, 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
65–74 years 19.3 21.7
75 years or more 18.4 19.5
Sex
Male 19.0 20.8
Female 18.8 20.6
Race and Ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic 19.4 21.6
Black, non-Hispanic 15.1 16.0
Mexican American 18.0 17.9
Poverty Status (Income compared to Federal Poverty Level)
Less than 100% 15.6 16.0
100% to 199% 17.0 18.3
Greater than 200% 20.1 22.2
Education
Less than High School 15.9 16.9
High School 18.1 19.2
More than High School 21.0 22.1
Smoking History
Current Smoker 15.3 15.8
Former Smoker 18.1 20.2
Never Smoked 19.9 21.6
Overall 18.9 20.7

 

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: Seniors, Percent with No Remaining Teeth

Mean percentage of seniors aged 65 years and older 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
65–74 years 24.0 13.0
75 years or more 31.2 22.5
Sex
Male 24.5 17.7
Female 29.2 16.9
Race and Ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic 25.9 15.2
Black, non-Hispanic 33.7 30.7
Mexican American 24.4 16.7
Poverty Status (Income compared to Federal Poverty Level)
Less than 100% 43.8 34.1
100% to 199% 36.1 26.1
Greater than 200% 17.3 10.7
Education
Less than High School 43.0 34.8
High School 28.3 21.3
More than High School 13.6 9.3
Smoking History
Current Smoker 49.7 42.8
Former Smoker 28.8 18.5
Never Smoked 21.5 12.1
Overall 27.2 17.3

 

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