Tooth loss and cognitive decline in community dwelling older Irish adults: A cross-sectional cohort study

To investigate whether tooth loss and related loss of occluding tooth pairs, were associated with cognitive decline in a group of community dwelling older men and women from Ireland.

A group of 2508 men and women, aged 50-93 years, underwent a dental examination as part of The Irish Longitudinal Study of ageing (TILDA). Global cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Analysis included multiple logistic regression with adjustment for various confounders.

The mean age of participants was 65.5 years (SD 8.1) and 55.3% of the group were female. Three hundred and twenty-nine (13.1%) of the cohort were classified as having a low MMSE with a score ≤ 27. After adjustment for confounding variables, compared to subjects with ≥ 20 teeth, the odds ratio for a low MMSE amongst edentulous was 1.55 (95% CI 1.03-2.34) p = 0.03, and for those with 1-19 teeth was 1.38 (95% CI 1.03-1.84) p = 0.04. Having < 10 natural occluding pairs and < 4 posterior occluding pairs also associated with a low MMSE.

In this cross-sectional cohort study, tooth loss and related loss of occluding tooth pairs were associated with a low MMSE in a group of older adults from Ireland, independent of various known confounders.

Dentists should be aware of the potential systemic health implications of patients presenting with tooth loss. Tooth loss may be an important risk indicator for cognitive decline.