Nearly Half of the World's Population Has Oral Diseases, Study Finds

Envato Imagens

A global analysis covering 204 countries and territories shows that oral diseases continue to affect billions of people worldwide, highlighting the persistent challenge of preventing and treating conditions such as tooth decay, severe gum disease and tooth loss.

Oral health remains one of the world's major public health challenges.

A comprehensive analysis of global health data shows that billions of people live with oral diseases, with the overall burden remaining high despite decades of advances in dentistry, prevention and healthcare.

The findings come from analyses conducted as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, which uses epidemiological data to estimate the prevalence and health impact of diseases across countries and regions.

The latest analysis examined data from 204 countries and territories and evaluated progress between 2019 and 2023 toward the World Health Organization's global oral health targets.

Oral Diseases Affect Billions of People

The scale of the problem is enormous.

Earlier GBD 2021 estimates found that the main oral conditions—including untreated tooth decay, severe periodontitis, tooth loss and other oral disorders—affected approximately 3.69 billion people worldwide in 2021.

That represented an age-standardized prevalence of approximately 45,900 cases per 100,000 people.

The findings are consistent with the World Health Organization's assessment that oral diseases affect nearly half of the world's population.

In 2022, the WHO estimated that approximately 3.5 billion people, or 45% of the global population, were living with oral diseases.

The exact number varies depending on the year, methodology and conditions included in the analysis, but the overall message is consistent: oral diseases affect an extraordinarily large proportion of the global population.

What Oral Diseases Are Included?

Oral health problems go far beyond cavities.

The global burden analyses include several major conditions, including:

• Untreated dental caries
• Severe periodontitis
• Tooth loss and edentulism
• Other oral disorders
• Lip and oral cavity cancer
• Orofacial clefts

Dental caries and severe gum disease are among the most widespread conditions.

The GBD 2021 analysis found that untreated caries in permanent teeth had an estimated global age-standardized prevalence of 27,500 per 100,000 people, while severe periodontitis had a prevalence of approximately 12,500 per 100,000.

Tooth Decay Remains a Major Global Problem

Dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, is one of the most widespread health conditions on the planet.

When untreated, cavities can cause:

• Toothache
• Difficulty eating
• Infection
• Sleep problems
• Problems with school or work
• Tooth loss
• Reduced quality of life

The WHO previously estimated that untreated dental caries in permanent teeth affected approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide.

Although tooth decay is often preventable and treatable, access to dental care, fluoride, oral hygiene products and preventive services varies significantly between populations.

Severe Gum Disease Also Affects Millions

Periodontal disease is another major component of the global oral health burden.

Severe periodontitis can damage the tissues and structures supporting the teeth and is an important cause of tooth loss.

According to the WHO, severe periodontal disease is estimated to affect approximately 1 billion people worldwide.

Risk factors can include inadequate oral hygiene, tobacco use and other health and behavioral factors.

Regular dental examinations can help identify gum disease before it becomes advanced.

Tooth Loss Is Another Major Concern

Tooth loss, particularly complete tooth loss or edentulism, can have substantial consequences for a person's quality of life.

People with significant tooth loss may experience difficulties with:

• Chewing
• Speaking
• Nutrition
• Social interaction
• Self-confidence

The GBD 2021 analysis estimated nearly 9.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with edentulism globally in 2021.

The study also found that the global number of DALYs associated with edentulism had increased substantially since 1990, although age-standardized rates showed a different pattern.

The Global Burden Has Not Changed Enough

One of the most important findings from the GBD analyses is that the global burden of oral conditions has remained stubbornly high.

The GBD 2021 study found that the number of people affected by the main oral conditions increased substantially between 1990 and 2021.

However, after adjusting for changes in population age structure, the global age-standardized prevalence remained broadly unchanged.

In other words, population growth and aging contribute to the increasing number of people living with oral conditions, while the underlying age-adjusted prevalence has not fallen enough to substantially change the global picture.

New Data From the GBD 2023 Study

The latest research takes the analysis forward.

The GBD 2023 Oral Disorders Collaborators evaluated progress between 2019 and 2023 using modeled estimates from epidemiological surveys and registries covering 204 countries and territories.

The researchers specifically assessed progress toward the WHO's goal of achieving a 10% relative reduction in the prevalence of major oral conditions by 2030.

This provides an important benchmark for measuring whether countries are making sufficient progress toward improving oral health.

Why Oral Health Is a Global Health Issue

Oral diseases are sometimes treated as separate from general health.

However, poor oral health can have consequences that extend beyond the mouth.

Pain, infection and tooth loss can affect eating, communication, education, employment and overall quality of life.

The burden can be particularly significant among populations that have limited access to healthcare.

The WHO has highlighted inequalities affecting people with lower incomes, older adults, people living in remote areas and other vulnerable populations.

Low- and Middle-Income Countries Carry a Large Share of the Burden

Access to dental services is not evenly distributed around the world.

According to the WHO, approximately three out of four people affected by oral diseases live in low- and middle-income countries.

Several factors can contribute to these disparities, including:

• Limited access to dentists
• Cost of treatment
• Lack of preventive care
• Limited access to fluoride
• Shortages of healthcare professionals
• Geographic barriers
• Low awareness of preventive oral health practices

These factors can allow relatively simple dental problems to progress into more serious conditions.

Oral Cancer Is Another Serious Concern

Oral health is not limited to cavities and gum disease.

Cancer of the lip and oral cavity is another important component of the global burden.

The GBD 2021 analysis estimated approximately 5.87 million DALYs associated with lip and oral cavity cancer in 2021.

The WHO also reports hundreds of thousands of new oral cancer cases globally each year.

Risk factors can include tobacco use, alcohol consumption and certain infections, among other factors.

Early detection can be important because treatment outcomes can depend significantly on the stage at diagnosis.

What Can People Do to Protect Their Oral Health?

Although global oral health requires public-health policies and better access to care, individuals can also take preventive steps.

Basic recommendations include:

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps remove dental plaque and can reduce the risk of cavities.

Clean Between Your Teeth

Floss or use another appropriate interdental cleaning method to remove plaque and food particles from areas that a toothbrush may not reach effectively.

Limit Frequent Sugar Exposure

Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks can increase the risk of dental caries.

Avoid Tobacco

Tobacco is associated with several oral health problems, including gum disease and oral cancer.

Have Regular Dental Checkups

A dentist can identify cavities, gum disease and other problems before they become more advanced.

Do Not Ignore Persistent Symptoms

Persistent mouth pain, bleeding gums, swelling, unexplained sores, loose teeth or changes in the mouth should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

What the Numbers Mean for the United States

The global findings are also relevant to Americans.

The United States has widespread access to modern dental technology, but access to dental care and preventive services is not uniform across the population.

Cost, insurance coverage, geographic availability and other factors can influence whether people receive regular dental care.

For American families, preventive dental visits can help detect problems before they require more complex and potentially more expensive treatment.

Oral Health and Overall Well-Being

The enormous number of people affected by oral diseases demonstrates why oral health should not be treated as an isolated issue.

A healthy mouth contributes to the ability to eat, speak and interact socially.

For children, untreated dental problems can interfere with school and daily activities. For adults, oral pain and tooth loss can affect nutrition, work and quality of life.

For older adults, maintaining oral health can become particularly important as the risks of tooth loss and other oral conditions increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people worldwide have oral diseases?

The WHO estimated that approximately 3.5 billion people, or 45% of the world's population, were affected by oral diseases in its 2022 global assessment. More recent GBD analyses use updated methodologies and datasets, so figures vary by year and definition.

How many countries were included in the latest study?

The latest GBD 2023 analysis used modeled epidemiological estimates covering 204 countries and territories.

What is the most common oral disease?

Untreated dental caries, or tooth decay, is among the most common oral conditions globally. The WHO has described untreated dental caries as the world's most common health condition.

Is gum disease common?

Yes. Severe periodontal disease affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide, according to WHO estimates.

Can oral diseases be prevented?

Many oral diseases can be prevented or controlled through measures such as regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, limiting frequent sugar consumption, avoiding tobacco and obtaining appropriate professional dental care.

Why are oral diseases so common?

The global burden reflects a combination of risk factors, population growth and aging, unequal access to preventive services and treatment, and persistent exposure to factors associated with dental and periodontal disease.

The Bigger Picture

The latest global evidence makes one point particularly clear: oral health remains a major worldwide public-health challenge.

The analysis of data from 204 countries and territories demonstrates the enormous scale of the problem and provides a framework for tracking progress toward the WHO's 2030 oral health targets.

The challenge is not simply about treating cavities or replacing missing teeth. It involves prevention, access to healthcare, affordability, education and the integration of oral health into broader health policies.

For individuals, basic preventive habits and regular professional care remain important. At the population level, however, reducing the global burden will require broader improvements in access to prevention and treatment.

With billions of people affected, oral health is not a minor healthcare issue. It is a global health priority.