Before Fluoridation 1 in 5 Americans Lost Teeth by Middle Age

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Among the generations of Americans who grew up before the implementation of community water fluoridation in the 1950s, some will likely tell you that “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” referring to the value of their teeth.

In the early 1960s, fully 20 % of people between the ages of 45 and 54 had lost all of their permanent teeth. That’s 1 in 5 middle-aged adults. Can you imagine what life would be like if you lost ALL of your teeth?

We invite you to click on the image, save it, and share the image on your website or social media page. For additional information, read our Public Health Measure Ensures Middle Aged People Still Have Their Chompers blog post.