Scientists have linked rapid tooth loss with an increased risk of death in the elderly

In the elderly, tooth loss can be associated with serious health risks. A group of Chinese researchers analyzed data from 8,073 elderly participants and found that people who lose their teeth faster have a higher risk of death. This was reported by Medical Xpress magazine on October 28.

The researchers emphasize the need for careful monitoring of the progression of tooth loss among the elderly, as this is an important indicator of general physiological deterioration. Changeable habits such as regular brushing, quitting smoking, and regular dental checkups play a key role in how quickly tooth loss occurs.

According to the analysis, constant oral care can reduce mortality among the elderly who do not have teeth. Regardless of age, oral health is a serious problem for people all over the world. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Global Oral Health Report, which showed that almost half of the world's population (about 3.5 billion people) suffers from related diseases, and tooth loss was named one of the most common problems.

Although tooth loss is often inevitable with age, its consequences can be serious. This not only affects the quality of life, making it difficult to chew and enjoy food, but is also associated with increased mortality — not only from general, but also from specific causes, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer and pneumonia.

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Most studies that examine the link between faster tooth loss and the risk of death focus on measuring the number of teeth at one point in time without taking into account changes over time. This analysis was the first to comprehensively assess the relationship between tooth loss and mortality in a large group of elderly people.

For 3.5 years, the team of scientists studied 8,073 elderly people aged 73 to 91 years. They tracked how quickly the participants lost their teeth by measuring the average number of teeth lost per year. Depending on the nature of the phenomenon, the participants were divided into four groups: stable (did not lose a single tooth in a year), slow loss (one to two teeth), moderate loss (from two to four teeth), and rapid loss (four or more teeth).

Subsequently, the data was introduced into Cox regression analysis, a statistical method that takes into account the relative risk of an event, to determine whether rapid tooth loss is associated with an increased risk of death. Studies have shown that those who quickly lost their teeth had a 33% higher risk of death compared to those who did not experience it. It is also emphasized that with each tooth lost per year, the risk increased by 4%.

Maxim Labukhin, a doctor and medical director of the MIA.RF clinic network, shared products that will help preserve dental health on September 22. According to him, the diet should include hard vegetables and fruits (carrots, apples, pears, cucumbers and beets), which, thanks to their surface, help to clean teeth from plaque and stimulate blood circulation in the gums. The expert also called greens, berries, nuts and dairy products useful.

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