Untreated Cavities in Older Adults

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Some older adults were more than twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay.

Some older adults were more than twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay. About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 or older who were Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or were currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. This is two to three times the amount of untreated decay as comparison groups.
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Some older adults were more than twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay. About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 or older who were Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or were currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. This is two to three times the amount of untreated decay as comparison groups.

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Untreated Cavities in Older Adults

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Some older adults were more than twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay.

About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 or older who were Mexican American, non-Hispanic Black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or were currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. This is two to three times the amount of untreated decay as comparison groups.

Chart: Percentage of adults aged 65 or older with untreated tooth decay, 2011–2016.

  • Mexican-American: 36%.
  • non-Hispanic Black: 29%.
  • non-Hispanic White*: 13%.
  • low-income: 33%.
  • higher-income*: 9%.
  • less than HS education: 31%.
  • more than HS education*: 12%.
  • currently smoking cigarettes: 34%.
  • never smoked cigarettes*: 14%.

* comparison groups

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; CDC Division of Oral Health