Food avoidance due to dental problems

KPI 8: Proportion of people who have avoided eating some foods because of problems with their teeth, mouth or dentures during the last 12 months

People may avoid eating some foods due to dental problems such as tooth sensitivity, inadequate dentition or being reliant on the use of dentures to chew. This in turn can impact on their diet and overall health and wellbeing.

In 2013, around 1 in 8 (13%) children aged 5–14 years and around 1 in 5 (21%) adults aged 15 years and over had avoided eating some foods in the previous 12 months due to problems with their teeth. In 2017–18, around 1 in 7 (14%) children aged 5–14 years and around 1 in 4 (24%) adults aged 15 years and over had avoided eating some foods in the previous 12 months due to problems with their teeth.

Explore the data using the interactive below:

KPI 8: Proportion of people who have avoided eating some foods due to problems with their teeth, mouth or dentures during the last 12 months

This figure shows the proportion of people who have avoided eating some foods due to problems with their teeth, mouth or dentures during the last 12 months, by age groups. National, state and territory data is presented for 2013 and 2017-18. In Australia, 24% of adults aged 15 years and over had avoided earing some foods due to problems with their teeth, mouth or dentures in 2017–18.

Data tables available for download.

More information about food avoidance.