Among adults from 35 to 44-years-old, 69 percent have lost at least one permanent tooth. By age 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth (including wisdom teeth). And among adults 65 to 74, 26 percent have lost all their teeth.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults—accounting for 70 percent of missing teeth. It begins with bacteria and inflammation in the gums.
In fact, what follows a missing tooth can have negative impacts on your physical, mental, and emotional health. When tooth loss is overlooked, it can lead to a number of consequences, such as a deteriorating jawbone, gum disease, poor eating habits, difficulty speaking, and self-esteem issues.
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.
When do kids lose their first tooth? Children usually lose their first tooth around 5 or 6 years old. But every child is unique. Some will lose their first tooth as early as 4 years old or as late as 7 years old.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by age 50, most Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth.
Conclusion. Around 50% of the population is missing at least 1 tooth, or around 178 million Americans. And 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. So if you're missing teeth, you're certainly not alone, and you shouldn't feel ashamed.
While some may worry more about a highly visible missing tooth (like a front tooth), the serious consequences of a missing tooth — including an increased risk of decay, a negative impact on eating and speaking, and possible bone loss — will impact an individual no matter where the missing tooth is.
It's so common that up to 20% of all adults are missing at least one tooth!
Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are common causes of missing teeth. Some people are born without certain teeth, and this condition is called congenitally missing teeth. Genetic factors cause congenitally missing teeth and this condition is often seen in generations of a family.
Although losing baby teeth is completely normal, losing adult teeth is not. Tooth loss is far from inevitable. While time and age can cause a decline in oral health, it is not age itself that causes tooth loss and other problems. Learn ways to preserve your teeth to last a lifetime!
Keeping your mouth young in old age requires diligent do-it-yourself care: brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least twice a day. Regular dental appointments are also important, although dental care is expensive, and retirement may mean losing affordable dental insurance.
Average Teeth Per Age Group
For Americans aged between 20 and 34, the average is just under 27 teeth (26.90) remaining. By the time you hit 49 years, you are feasibly down to 25.05 teeth on average. Once you get to 64, you are pretty average if you have around 22 (22.30) teeth still in your mouth.
Adult tooth loss can result in a myriad of consequences. Some being a reduced function, decay, and further loss of remaining teeth. A missing tooth can make it difficult to properly chew food and clean your teeth, resulting in further decay.
Studies have shown that older adults around 75 years of age who still have a full set of teeth are most likely able to make it to 100 years old. However, simply brushing your teeth and flossing daily are not the only things you need to do to make sure your oral health is up to par.
About 2 in 3 (68%) adults aged 65 years or older have gum disease. Tooth loss. Nearly 1 in 5 of adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth.
The procedure for extracting multiple teeth at once is a bit more complicated than a simple single tooth extraction. You can live without one or two teeth without major consequences, but losing several teeth at once requires the jawbone to be reshaped to prepare for a dental bridge or dentures.
Joint pain and headaches
The shifting of teeth disrupts the smooth functioning of the 'joint and teeth system'. This may cause pain in the temporo-mandibular joint and the related muscles that are used for biting and grinding food. It may also cause chronic headaches and neck pain.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
Even more, 92 percent, say an undesirable mouth-related trait, such as bad breath or missing or crooked teeth, is a turn-off in a potential partner. Not only are people turning down dates because of an unpleasing smile, those with unsightly teeth often choose to stay out of the dating game altogether.
Age, illness, injury, and infection all take their toll on your teeth. If you've lost one or two over the years and haven't addressed the gaps because you think it's no big deal, think again. Lost teeth are often the starting point for more serious conditions.
It's not uncommon to have missing teeth. In fact, a survey in 2015 found only 48% of American adults ages 20–64 have a full permanent (or secondary) set. Nearly 1 in 5 seniors over 65 are missing all of their teeth (called edentulism).
Feeling embarrassed by missing teeth is very common, but even if you're missing one, two, or more teeth, you're absolutely not alone.
Adults 20 to 64 years have an average of 25.5 remaining teeth.