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.
Researchers estimate that as many as 20 percent of adults are born with at least one missing tooth, making hypodontia one of the most common developmental oral health conditions. Most individuals are missing only one or two permanent teeth, with very few missing more than six.
Although most people will end up with a complete set of thirty-two permanent teeth, sometimes one or more teeth may fail to develop. This hypodontia is one of the most common developmental abnormalities in dentistry, with up to 20% of all adults missing at least one tooth.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare1, Australian adults have an average of 4.5 missing teeth and around 61% of people aged 75 or over have moderate or severe periodontitis.
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.
The Sad Truth About Tooth Loss
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by age 50, most Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth. The full adult dentition consists of 32 teeth.
Feeling embarrassed by missing teeth is very common, but even if you're missing one, two, or more teeth, you're absolutely not alone. In fact, it's more rare to reach adulthood with all your teeth intact.
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.
People with hypodontia are born with missing teeth.
The most commonly missing teeth are the third molars, mandibular second molars, maxillary permanent lateral incisors, and maxillary second premolars. In contrast, the least commonly missing permanent teeth are the maxillary central incisors, the maxillary and mandibular first molars, and the mandibular canines.
Waiting too long to replace a missing tooth can eventually cause adjacent teeth to drift enough that problems such as crowding occur. Teeth growing into the gap of a missing tooth can make contact, which can cause uncomfortable pressure and create tight spaces between the teeth and gums.
More Serious Health Issues – The longer you wait to replace a missing tooth, the greater your risk for getting gum disease, which studies show can lead more serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and even cancer.
When there's a gap in your teeth because of a missing tooth, there's space for bacteria, tartar, and plaque to get into your gum line. This puts you at greater risk of gum disease. Once gum disease sets in, you're at greater risk for some serious medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
While many get their first set of false teeth between 40 and 49, the need to replace teeth becomes nearly universal as people age.
Once you get to 64, you are pretty average if you have around 22 (22.30) teeth still in your mouth. Between the ages of 50 to 64, you have about a 10% chance of having no teeth remaining at all, and this number jumps up to 13% when you get to age 74. Once past the age of 74, the number jumps even higher to 26%.
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.
The most common congenitally missing teeth are wisdom teeth, upper lateral incisors, and the second premolars(source).
Tooth loss carries a certain social stigma. People feel embarrassed when they lose a tooth. Many people with missing teeth are stereotyped as those who do not adequately care for themselves, as those who are unfit, and as someone too poor to tackle the issues.
Missing teeth contribute to the appearance of sunken cheeks, which can make you look older. Teeth are anchored to the jawbone by sockets, and if these remain empty, bone loss occurs. The jaw contributes a lot to the structure of the face, and less jawbone will leave you with a gaunt appearance.
Make it to 94 and you done good.
A century ago the need for dentures in later life was almost a foregone conclusion. Today, three-quarters of people over 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth, but older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, oral cancer, mouth infections, and tooth loss.
Nearly 1 in 5 of adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth.
There are no federal laws or regulations that prohibit or discourage dentists from giving patients their extracted teeth. However, it is frowned upon. According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, extracted teeth are considered potentially infectious materials and should be handled accordingly.
Once a tooth (or teeth) goes missing, the bone is in danger of degrading and becoming weaker. This deterioration can cause healthy teeth to become loose. In some cases, they may even become fully dislodged. Once jawbone recession sets in, it is not uncommon for the gums to begin receding, as well.