Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010

Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010

September 5, 2012

A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of U.S. adults have some level of periodontal disease. Also commonly called “gum disease,” the study, published online in the Journal of Dental Research, found that about 47% of U.S. adults ages 30 and older had periodontitis. In adults ages 65 years and older, an estimated 70% have periodontitis. The study was conducted in a sample of 3743 adults who received an examination as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2009 and 2010.

Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. It can range from a mild inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth (gingivitis) to irreversible chronic destruction of both the soft and hard (bone) tissues supporting the teeth (periodontitis). The more severe form can lead to tooth loss.

“This study shows that the prevalence of periodontal disease is high—nearly half of all American adults have periodontitis and the percentage increases to nearly three-fourths of older adults,” stated the lead author on the report, CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Pau I Eke, PhD, MPH, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. He added that the new study provides the most accurate estimates of the percentage of U.S. adults who have periodontitis. “This is the first time our survey was based on a full-mouth periodontal examination using clinical measures from 6 sites around each tooth and from all teeth.” Previous studies examined fewer sites around fewer teeth in selected areas of the mouth.

Among the key findings of the study are that for adults 30 years and older, 8.7% had mild periodontitis, 30.0% had moderate periodontitis, and 8.5% had severe periodontitis. Periodontitis was higher in men, Mexican Americans, adults with less than a high school education, low-income adults ( income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Levels), and in current smokers.

“Maintaining good oral health into older adulthood is critical for having good quality of life,” stated Dr. William Bailey, DDS, MPH, Acting Director of CDC’s Division of Oral Health and Chief Dental Officer, U.S. Public Health Service. “People can protect their gum health by practicing good oral hygiene that includes daily tooth brushing and flossing to remove dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can build up on teeth and irritate the gums. For smokers, quitting can also improve their oral health.”

In addition to tobacco use (smoking or chewing/spit tobacco), other risk factors for gum disease include:

• Diabetes

• Stress

• Crooked or crowded teeth

• Medications that cause dry mouth

• Having immune-deficiencies, such as AIDS

• Hormonal changes in women, including during pregnancy

Warning signs of gum disease include bad breath that is difficult to treat, red and bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose and sensitive teeth, and receding gums. An annual dental visit is important so that a dentist can evaluate the patient’s gums for signs of gum disease. Early stages of gum disease can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and professional cleaning, which removes plaque that has hardened into tartar or calculus. More advanced stages of gum disease usually require treatment by a dental specialist.

CDC’s Division of Oral Health (DOH) works to improve the oral health of the nation and reduce inequalities in oral health. DOH’s activities include helping states improve their oral health programs; extending the use of proven strategies to prevent oral diseases and conditions; enhancing efforts to monitor oral diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease; contributing to the scientific knowledge-regarding oral health and disease; and guiding infection control in dentistry.

For more information on oral health, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/oralhealth.