Senior Citizens Make Big Gains in Latest Oral Health Reports

Based on data from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, the report, "Trends in Oral Health Status-United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004," represents the most comprehensive assessment of oral health data available for the U.S. population to date.

The key findings for senior citizens included:

• Moderate and severe periodontitis (gum disease) decreased from 10 percent to 5 percent among adults aged 20 to 64 years, and from 27 percent to 17 percent for seniors aged 65 years and older.

• Among seniors aged 65 years and older, the percentage with complete tooth loss (edentulism) decreased from 34 percent to 27 percent.

Read the entire article along with a state by state report card by clicking here.