Tooth Loss Statistics

Tooth loss is prevalent in the United States and worldwide. In addition to compromising a beautiful smile, gaps and spaces can have a significant negative impact on your oral health and function.

Here, our team at Dental Associates of New England in Boston, MA discusses tooth loss statistics and explains how dental implants can restore your smile for years to come.

What Causes Tooth Loss?

The two most common causes of tooth loss are decay and periodontal disease. There are also risk factors that increase the chances of tooth loss, including:

• Lack of proper dental care
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Age

Tooth Loss in Adults Aged 20 to 64

On average, adults in this age group have 24.92 teeth remaining. Nearly four percent of individuals in this demographic are edentulous, meaning that they are missing all of their teeth.

Out of this population, those more likely to have missing teeth include:

• Hispanic adults
• African-American adults
• Smokers
• Individuals with less education
• Those with lower incomes

Tooth Loss in Seniors Over 64

As we age, the risk for tooth loss increases. On average, adults over the age of 65 have 18.90 teeth remaining. Statistically, 27.27 percent of seniors in this age bracket are edentulous.

Those with an increased risk of tooth loss include:

• Women
• Older seniors
• African-American seniors
• Smokers
• Seniors with less income
• Seniors with less education

Tooth Loss by State

Ever wonder how your state stacks up in terms of tooth loss statistics? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states with the highest prevalence of natural missing teeth include:

• West Virginia
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• Louisiana

Alternatively, states and territories with the lowest incidence of natural tooth loss include:

• Connecticut
• Utah
• California
• Minnesota
• U.S. Virgin Islands

How Dental Implants Address Tooth Loss

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, there are several treatment options. Few are as highly regarded as dental implants, however.

Implants are the only restorations to replace the roots of missing teeth. This preserves jawbone density and helps prevent further atrophy in the future. Moreover, dental implants are versatile, and can be restored with crowns, bridges, and even dentures.

To qualify for dental implants, patients must have adequate jawbone density to accommodate the posts. However, if prolonged tooth loss has resulted in bone deterioration, you can undergo a bone grafting procedure.

Once the implants are placed in the bone tissue, they typically need to heal for about three to four months. At this point, the final restoration can be attached. The result is a natural-looking, fully functional, healthy smile.

Dental implants offer the most stable, reliable, long-lasting results of any teeth replacement option to date. In fact, with proper care and routine dental visits, implants can last for the rest of your life.

Contact Dental Associates of New England

Are you one of the Americans affected by tooth loss? Whether you are missing a single tooth or an entire arch, dental implants could be the solution for you. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, contact our practice online or give us a call at (781) 890-4900.