Teenage Tooth Decay

Tooth Decay (dental caries) in Permanent (Adult) Teeth

Tooth Decay (dental caries), both treated and untreated, in all adolescents age 12 to 19 declined from the early 1970s until the most recent (1999-2004) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The decrease was significant in all but two population subgroups (Mexican-Americans and those living in households between 100% and 199% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In spite of this decline, significant disparities are still found in some population groups.

Prevalence

• 59% of adolescents 12 to 19 have had Tooth Decay (dental caries) in their permanent teeth.

• Hispanic adolescents and those living in families with lower incomes have more decay.

Unmet Needs

• 23% of adolescents 12 to 19 have untreated decay.

• Black and Hispanic children and those living in families with lower incomes have more untreated decay.

Severity

• Adolescents 12 to 19 have an average of 0.54 decayed or missing permanent teeth and 1.03 decayed permanent surfaces.

• Hispanic subgroups and those with lower incomes have more severe decay in permanent teeth.

• Black and Hispanic subgroups and those with lower incomes have more untreated permanent teeth.

Units of Measure: Tooth Decay (dental caries) is measured by a dentist examining a person’s teeth, and recording the ones with untreated decay and the ones with fillings. This provides three important numbers:

• FT (filled teeth): this is the number of decayed teeth that have been treated, which indicates access to dental care;

• DMT (decayed and missing teeth): this is the number decayed and missing teeth that have not been treated, which measures unmet need; and

• DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth): this is the sum of DMT and FT, and is the measure of person’s total lifetime tooth decay.

In addition to counting decayed and filled teeth, this same information can be gathered at the tooth surface level. Since every tooth has multiple surfaces, counting the decayed or filled surfaces provides a more accurate measure of the severity of decay.

Source: NIDCR