More than one-half of older adults report having most of their natural teeth, but retention rates vary widely among states, say researchers in the Dec. 19 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
To estimate the prevalence of tooth retention and total tooth loss in 2002 among adults 65 years of age or older, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, or BRFSS, survey.
They found that in 26 states, more than one-half of older adults reported having lost five or fewer of their natural teeth. Estimates ranged from 64 to 27 percent. In California, Colorado and Utah, more than 60 percent of respondents reported having retained most of their teeth, while in Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, less than 40 percent reported the same.
In California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Utah and Washington, less than 20 percent of respondents reported being edentate. In Kentucky and West Virginia, more than 40 percent reported they had lost all of their teeth.
Retention of teeth was less common among respondents who had less than a high school education, had annual household incomes of less than $15,000, were non-Hispanic African-Americans, smoked, had diabetes or reported having poor or fair general health.
Researchers suggest that community-based strategies to help adults maintain healthy teeth should promote healthy behaviors, optimal use of fluoride, timely examinations and clinical services, and increased research into preventing oral diseases and promoting oral health among adults.
