39 Fun & Interesting Facts about Dentistry & Teeth

2026 Facts at a Glance

Wondering what’s actually true about dental health? These quick-hit facts summarize the state of mouths across the U.S. and around the world.

Tooth decay is the most common health condition on Earth, impacting 2.5 billion people in 2022.
In 2020, 55% of U.S. eight-year-olds had already experienced tooth decay.
Untreated cavities affected 18% of eight-year-olds in that same survey year.
Cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria that feed on sugars and weaken enamel over time.
The technical term for tooth decay is “dental caries”—they’re chronic, not just a kid thing.

Gum disease begins with gingivitis and can progress to periodontitis, which damages bone.
In 2020, 13.8% of adults aged 65 and older had no natural teeth left, largely due to gum disease or decay.
Periodontitis is more common in smokers and people with diabetes.
Advanced gum disease has been linked to systemic conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s, though causation is unclear.
Most gum disease is preventable with daily brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings.

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste reduces your risk of cavities by about 25%.
Flossing or using interdental brushes helps remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Skipping meals may raise cavity risk by lowering saliva production, which helps neutralize acids.
Staying hydrated supports saliva production, which helps fight decay naturally.
Regular dental visits improve long-term oral health, especially when started young.

Water fluoridation reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.
The U.S. Public Health Service recommends 0.7 mg/L fluoride in community water systems.
In 2020, only 32% of U.S. eight-year-olds had dental sealants, even though 77% needed them.
Sealants prevent about 80% of cavities in molars during the first two years after application.
Cochrane reviews found fluoridation’s benefits have shrunk since the 1970s, likely due to widespread toothpaste use.

In 2026, the U.S. had 202,485 professionally active dentists.
Women made up 39.6% of dentists that year, up from just 24% in 2005.
The average retirement age for dentists reached 68.7 in 2026.
94% of dental hygienists work in dental offices, with a median salary of $94,260.
Dental assistants numbered 381,900 in 2026 and typically earned around $47,300.
Certified dental assistants earned about $3.50 more per hour than non-certified peers in 2026.
One in five dentists reported working in a specialty like orthodontics or pediatric dentistry.

Dental implants have a five-year success rate above 90%, according to long-term studies.
Crowns, fillings, and veneers are now made from advanced ceramics and composites that can last over a decade.
In 2025, the FDA reclassified dental amalgam and whitening strips as higher-risk devices requiring stricter labeling.
Amalgam now carries warnings for pregnant people, children, and those with mercury sensitivities.
Whitening strips must now include safety instructions and enamel risk disclosures.
Custom mouthguards and dental materials must list all active and inactive ingredients under new FDA rules.

George Washington’s dentures were made of ivory, metal, and human teeth—not wood.
In 1917, Irene Newman became the first licensed dental hygienist in the U.S.
Isaac Newton once had a tooth pulled and set in a gold ring—auctioned for today’s equivalent of $35,000.
Dental records remain one of the most reliable ways to identify human remains.
Forensic dentistry is used in disaster response and criminal investigations worldwide.