About 13% of U.S. adults over 65 have lost all of their natural teeth, and CDC data attributes most tooth loss to periodontal disease and untreated decay — not simply age. That means it's largely preventable. Three habits matter most: treat bleeding or swollen gums as urgent rather than something to wait out, replace a missing tooth promptly since gaps accelerate bone loss and shift your bite, and keep every recommended cleaning even when your mouth feels fine — gum disease is frequently symptom-free until it's already advanced.