English

Section 3B: Oral Health Across the Lifespan: Older Adults Infographic (Text Alternative)

Among older adults there has been significant improvement in tooth retention over the past 20 years. More older adults are retaining most or all their teeth, and fewer older adults have lost all their teeth (edentulism). Affordability and access to care remain the most significant barriers to tooth retention, as poor adults are much more likely to lack functional dentition than nonpoor adults.

Among adults 65 and older, edentulism (the loss of all natural teeth) decreased from about 32% to 17% over the past 20 years.

Facial Pain Comes to Light
By imaging twinkling neurons that light up in response to pain, NIDCR researchers found that blocking the Cdk5 protein dampens pain signaling in mice. The findings could help scientists find safer, non-opioid pain relief options.
The Gut’s Role in Oral Bone Health
Certain gut bacteria trigger an immune response that prompts loss of tooth-supporting bone. The findings point to a role for gut microbes in oral health and could inform treatment approaches for gum disease-associated bone loss.