What do systematic reviews say?

Older adults (population mean age >33.4 years) vs Younger adults (population mean age <=33.4 years)

Studies of older adults (mean age >33.4 years) had higher pooled DMFT than younger adults, but the age to DMFT meta-regression was not statistically significant; ungraded observational evidence.

• Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review and… 2018 All outcomes

  Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016) · Overall
  MEAN 9.38 [7.58, 11.18]
  14 studies
  GRADE not reported
• Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review and… 2018 All outcomes

  Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016) · Unadjusted model
  Meta-regression coefficient 4.324884
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported
• Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review and… 2018 All outcomes

  Population/community-based studies of adults aged 19-60 years across multiple countries (studies published 1975-2016) · Younger (mean age <=33.4 years)
  MEAN 7.31 [5.89, 8.73]
  7 studies
  GRADE not reported