One in three Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 say they're embarrassed by the condition of their teeth, a University of Michigan (UM) National Poll on Healthy Aging showed.
Forty percent of those polled don't get regular cleanings or other preventive care that can help prevent dental problems, the poll said.
Insurance coverage appears to have a lot to do with this lack of care. Overall, 28 percent of respondents said they don't have dental coverage; and the percentage of those who say they only seek care for serious dental problems reached 56 percent.
As for the future, 51 percent of those surveyed said they simply didn't know how they would get dental insurance coverage after they turn 65 while another 13 percent of middle-aged adults expected to count on Medicare or Medicaid to cover their oral care needs after that age.
Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental care, and Medicaid dental coverage is often limited.
Cost is the most commonly reported factor, given by 69 percent poll respondents who said they did not get needed care.
