Dentistry

Tooth Loss Statistics By State

February 11, 2008 /

toothloss1

Adults aged 65+ who have had all their natural teeth extracted.

Flap has always wondered why his colleagues in other states have reported doing more extractions and complete dentures per dental practice than him.

These graphics offer a partial explanation.

But, why?

Is it dental IQ, the methods of dental treatment planning, the dentistry performed?

Probably all of the above.

toothloss2

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004.

Note where California is – near the bottom.

H/T to Dr. Bill Domb

9 Comments

  • jeremiah

    February 11, 2008 at 11:11 am

    I wonder how these statistics correlate with % of the population in each state that has fluoridated water. I’m guessing there is a high correlation.

  • Flap

    February 12, 2008 at 10:02 am

    This would be an interesting stat.

    But, since the Meth Epidemic started in the Far West and unfortunately spread to the Midwest and South one would expect to see California be in the upper quartile. But, California is near the bottom – as is my clinical observations over the past 25 years or so.

    On the other hand, since these are stats for folks 65 years and older the Meth addicts may never reach that age no matter how many teeth they have.

  • Flap

    February 14, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    Looks like either stain from tooth development or a mild case of fluorosis.

    Could be stain, decalcification from her orthodontic braces.

    Also, could be she needs her teeth cleaned.

  • Naruto

    February 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    OK Flap, As a Dentist what kind of toothpaste do you tell adults to use?

    Whats the best one?

    9 out of 10 Dentist agree… 🙂

    Whats the best one? 😉

  • TC

    February 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Flap,
    First I would like to extend to you my sincere apology if in my previous post ( http://flapsblog.com/?p=6431 ) I offended you in anyway. It was not my intention to do so. As a curious college student, I simply wanted to ask a thoughtful question of somebody who is much more knowledgeable on the subject, and I feel that by your response I went about it the wrong way.

    I completely support and agree with the use of prosthetics in tooth replacement. Any invention that can make somebody healthier as well as change their life is clearly something that contributes to society in a positive way. I in no way am against the use of any modern method of replacing dentition.

    As far as my theory of tooth loss is concerned, I believe you have misunderstood what I wanted to say, and as it is by my error I apologize. I understand there are numerous reasons for losing teeth, the saddest of them being that people cannot afford the means to take care of their teeth. The question I wanted to ask you was whether or not you think that patients and people in general, are not as serious about keeping their teeth healthy because they see the multiple ways in which permanent teeth can be replaced. Do you think that all of the current advances in the tooth replacement field at all contribute to the attitude that teeth are easily replaced? Again I am sorry for confusing you, as it was not my goal.

    And finally, I am aware that there is much more to dentistry than filling cavities. The contribution from dentists to society is irreplaceable, which is one of the reasons I aspire to be one. Filling cavities is not me being naive about what dentists do, but rather a metaphor for what the purpose of my blog is, to fix the misconceptions, and fill the holes of knowledge (cavities) that people have about the field of dentistry.

    Again, I am sorry for being abrasive or offending you in anyway, and thank you for taking the time to respond to my last post.

  • Flap

    February 20, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    You ask:

    The question I wanted to ask you was whether or not you think that patients and people in general, are not as serious about keeping their teeth healthy because they see the multiple ways in which permanent teeth can be replaced. Do you think that all of the current advances in the tooth replacement field at all contribute to the attitude that teeth are easily replaced?

    No.

    Education or lack therof, Dental IQ, culture and socioeconomics are among the primary reasons why teeth are lost unnecessarily.