CDC: Tooth decay, tooth loss on decline, but disparities remain

By | June 4, 2015

According to ADA News, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that tooth decay and complete tooth loss have declined in the U.S. since the 1960s, but disparities remain between some age groups and races.

Here are some findings by the CDC:

  • Among adults aged 20-64, 91 percent had dental caries and 27 percent had untreated tooth decay.
  • Untreated tooth decay was higher for Hispanic (36 percent) and non-Hispanic black (42 percent) adults compared with non-Hispanic white (22 percent) and non-Hispanic Asian (17 percent) adults aged 20-64.
  • Adults aged 20-39 were twice as likely to have all their teeth (67 percent) compared with those aged 40-64 (34 percent).
  • About one in five adults aged 65 and older had untreated tooth decay.
  • Among adults aged 65 and over, complete tooth loss was lower for older Hispanic (15 percent) and non-Hispanic white (17 percent) adults compared with older non-Hispanic black adults (29 percent).

To read the full story, click here.

6 thoughts on “CDC: Tooth decay, tooth loss on decline, but disparities remain

  1. Pingback: Top Oral Health Advice To Keep Your Teeth Healthy | Help.Com.Pk

  2. Eddie Barack

    It is quite scary that 90% of adults between 20-90 years have untreated tooth decay. Most of us are in that age group and should make a visit to the dentist if that is the case.

    Reply
  3. Yvon

    Always good to hear that the number of cavities are going down. I am with you though Eddie 90% untreated is still way too high and I don’t think that anyone would argue otherwise. I think going to the dentist every six months or eight months is absolutely needed.

    Reply
  4. John Sutcliffe

    The British newpapers have been full on reports about the poor condition of childrens dental health in the UK . The reports were prompted after Professor Nigel Hunt, Dean of the Royal College of Surgeons who was quoted as stating that:

    “We are reaching crisis point in terms of the number of children needing to go into the dental hospitals for full-blown general anaesthetics for extraction.”

    British Medical Association (BMA) has called for a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks after a survey revealed that 20% of parents think that fruit smoothies are good for their children’s teeth.

    Reply
  5. Dr. Lamblord

    Dr. Feinberg and Dr. Dye did a good job with the article.. Thanks for letting us know…

    Reply
  6. Navdeep Dhillon

    Dental health is being a great issue nowadays. Everybody must take care of their own oral health because it is the most likely entry point for the germs and bacteria. I prefer dentist Parramatta in Australia to be the best dentist since i have visited them. Now i don’t have to worry about m oral health because they provides the best oral health care solutions at very affordable prices

    Reply

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