According to an analysis of a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, tooth loss is closely associated with age, diabetes and smoking.
The survey was conducted from 2003 to 2004 and included more than 10,000 participants. Of these, 2,508 were 50 years and older, according to the Journal.
Based on this survey, the NHANES estimated that the incident of edentulism, complete tooth loss, was 17 percent among United States residents 50 years and older.
According to the analysis, for U.S. Residents 50 years and older who had diabetes, the percentage with complete tooth loss rose to 28.4 percent. This was a higher percentage than among heavy smokers (24.3 percent with edentulism) though not as much as both heavy and light smokers smokers (43.7 percent with edentulism).
There are many options for dealing with and preventing tooth loss. Hill Family Dentistry works with you to replace missing teeth, and we provide care to those who may be at greater risk for tooth loss.
Hill Family Dentistry is located at 36359 N Gantzel Rd, Suite 101 in San Tan Valley, Ariz. and serves patients from across the valley. More information can be found by calling 480-588-8127 or visiting http://www.hillfamilydentistry.com.
To read the NHANES study for yourself, visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/search/nhanes03_04.aspx.