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
| 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
| 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.
