Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is very common in the elderly:
- 30% of elderly have untreated caries
- 25% have lost tooth-supporting structures due to periodontal disease
- Adults over age 65 have an average of 18 remaining teeth
- 25% are completely edentulous
- Medicare does not offer a dental benefit
Edentulous male not wearing his dentures
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Edentulous male with dentures in
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Negative Impacts of Tooth Loss
- Difficulty eating
- Inadequate nutritional intake
- Dissatisfaction with facial appearance
Dentures, while not nearly as good as original teeth, can significantly improve quality of life by:
- Providing support and increasing the vertical dimension of the mouth
- Improving appearance
- Making eating easier
References
Vargas CM, Kramarow EA, Yellowitz JA. The Oral Health of Older Americans. Aging Trends, No. 3. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2001.
Wu B, Hybels C, Liang J, Landerman L, Plassman B. Social stratification and tooth loss among middle-aged and older Americans from 1988 to 2004. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2014; 42(6):495-502.
Oral Health for Older Americans. CDC; Accessed 9/23/2018.