Dentition Nation

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For the first time, the Canadian Health Measures Survey sinks its teeth into the population’s dental well-being

Samson Ross

A country is only as healthy as its teeth. Thanks to fluoride and better access to dental care, the rates of edentulosity (toothlessness) have declined in Canada’s population, according to the 2007–2009 survey of our national health. That’s very good news since the loss of all natural teeth — arguably the ultimate measure of poor dental health — can lead to nutrient deficiencies, involuntary weight loss and speech difficulties — not to mention low self-esteem.

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6.6% Proportion of Canadian household population ages 20 to 79 that had no natural teeth in 2007/09 on examination by a dentist

17.7% Proportion of Canadian household population ages 20 to 79 that had no natural teeth in 1990

1% Proportion of the population ages 20 to 39 that had no natural teeth in 2007/09

4.3% Proportion of men with no natural teeth in 2007/09, versus 4.4% of women

21.1% Proportion of women ages 60 to 79 with no natural teeth in 2007/09, versus 22.3% of men

43% Proportion of the population ages 60 to 79 reporting no natural teeth in 1990

1.3% Proportion of the U.S. population ages 30 to 44 reporting no natural teeth in 2003/04

22.3% Proportion of the U.S. population ages 65 to 74 with no natural teeth in 2003/04

36% Proportion of U.K. population ages 65 to 74 with no natural teeth in 1998

Sources Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009; U.S National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003/04); U.K 1998 Adult Dental Health Survey