New research has explored the relationship between tooth loss and mortality rates in older people. Concerningly, the research suggests that rapid tooth loss is linked to a higher risk of death. The findings underline the importance of looking after our oral health all throughout our lives.
As we get older, health problems typically become more common. Aside from physical health ailments, oral health issues are also commonplace.
Now, new research has found that older people who lose teeth rapidly are at a higher risk of death [1].
These are concerning findings. Moreover, they underline the importance of looking after our oral health all throughout our lives.
Tooth loss
The main focus of the research was on tooth loss. Teeth can be missing for a range of reasons. For example, this may be extensive tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma.
Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, a high sugar diet, severe gum disease, tobacco use, and in cases of trauma – combat sports.
Teeth can become lost at any point in a person’s life. In fact, a 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that tooth loss is one of the most common oral health problems around the world [2].
Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 11% of adults in the United States aged 65 to 74 have lost all of their teeth [3]. This rises to 20% in cases of those aged 75 and older.
Clearly, tooth loss is a big issue. Complications of tooth loss include worsening diet, speaking difficulties, lower quality of life, and further health problems [3].
The older a person gets, the higher their chances are of developing oral health problems. Furthermore, such problems often coincide with a rise in physical ailments too.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team of Chinese researchers. Their findings have been published in the BMC Geriatrics journal [1].
The researchers sought to find out the impact that teeth loss has on mortality. They pointed out that most research on the topic in the past has focused on measuring tooth count at a single point [1].
Therefore, this has not accounted for changes over time, which may have affected the validity of past research [1].
However, the researchers noted that this study would be the first to assess the association between teeth loss overtime and mortality in older adults [1].
The research involved 8,073 participants that were aged 73 to 91. The participants were monitored over a period of three and a half years [1].
Over this time period, the researchers tracked how quickly the participants lost teeth and classed this as the average number of teeth lost per year [1].
Then, the participants were divided in accordance with their average. The groups were classed as stable (no teeth lost per year), slow loss (1 lost per year), moderate loss (2-3 lost per year), and rapid loss (4 or more lost per year) [1].
Then, the data was entered into a Cox regression analysis, which accounts for the relative risk of an event. Essentially, it would tell the researchers if faster tooth loss was associated with a higher mortality risk [1].
The findings were clear. Those with rapid tooth loss had a 33% higher risk of death compared to the stable group [1]. This was a staggering amount.
Moreover, the results also showed that with each tooth lost per year, the risk of death increases by 4% [1]. Therefore, tooth loss is certainly associated with death, with the higher the loss, the higher the mortality rate.
Summary
The research clearly underlines the danger of tooth loss. Those with rapid tooth loss were found to be most at risk.
Perhaps more worryingly, those rapidly losing teeth had a higher risk of dying – irrespective of how many teeth they started the research with [1].
The researchers argued that their findings emphasize the need to closely monitor oral health and any tooth loss in older adults [1]. This can be monitored through regular dental check-ups.
Moreover, the researchers have also suggested that public health efforts should focus more on oral health, as opposed to just on physical health [1].
Increased public health efforts could help to raise awareness of the potential damage of tooth loss and result in improved oral hygiene among wider populations.
Oral health is important for everyone to consider. This research shows the mortality risk involved with poor oral health. By looking after our oral health, it can help to protect our overall health too.
Thinking points…
[1] As mentioned above, dental check-ups are crucial, as they can help dentists to monitor any ongoing problems. This should be done all throughout life! Any issues can be addressed – the earlier they are tackled, the better the outcome should be. We recommend having a dental check-up at least once every six months. You should book an appointment soon!
[2] A common theme throughout the above article is tooth loss. If you are missing teeth, then you could consider a dental implant. Implants are designed to be straightforward to fit, resemble natural teeth in appearance and function, and boost self-esteem. Here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer free implant consultations and would love to discuss your oral health with you. You can find out more about us at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Duan, L., Yang, L., Ruan, H., et al. (2025). Tooth loss progression and mortality among older adults: results from the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey (CLHLS). BMC Geriatrics. 25 (769). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06419-1.
[2] World Health Organization. (2022). Global oral health status report. Available: https://www.paho.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/global-oral-health-status-report-towards-universal-health-coverage-oral-health-2030.pdf. Last accessed: 31st October 2025.
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Tooth Loss. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/about-tooth-loss.html. Last accessed: 31st October 2025.
