The number of adults missing all their natural teeth over the past 10 years has declined from 31 percent to 25 percent for those aged 60 years and older, and from 9 percent to 5 percent for those adults between 40 and 59 years.Unfortunately, 5 percent translates to an astounding 1 out of 20 middle-aged adults that are still missing all their teeth. Over 40 percent of poor adults (20 years and older) have at least one untreated decayed tooth compared to 16 percent of non-poor adults.

Toothaches are still the most common pain of the mouth or face reported by adults. Anyone who has ever had a toothache can attest to the fact that this pain can interfere with vital functions such as eating, swallowing, and talking. Amazingly, almost 1 of every 4 adults reported some form of facial pain in the past 6 months.

Not only baby boomers but most adults show signs of gum disease. Severe gum disease affects about 14 percent of adults aged 45 to 54 years. Signs and symptoms of soft tissue diseases such as cold sores are common in adults and affect about 19 percent of those aged 25 to 44 years. Millions of Americans are affected by compromised oral health and chronic disabling diseases such as jaw joint diseases (TMD), diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Women report certain painful mouth and facial conditions (TMD disorders, migraine headaches, and burning mouth syndrome) more often than men. More than 400,000 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from oral problems such as painful mouth ulcers, impaired taste, and dry mouth every year. Hospital patients with weakened immune systems, such as those infected with HIV and other medical conditions (organ transplants) and who use some medications (e.g., steroids), are at higher risk for some oral problems.

More than 164 million hours of work each year by employed adults are lost due to oral health problems or dental visits. The customer service industry employees incredibly lose 2 to 4 times more work hours than executives or professional workers.

Seventy percent of adults reported visiting a dentist in the past 12 months. Those with incomes at or above the poverty level are much more likely to report a visit to a dentist in the past 12 months as those with lower incomes.For every adult 19 years or older without medical insurance, there are three without dental insurance.