Tooth Loss in Individuals with Dementia: A Swedish Register-Based Cohort Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Oral Health

Background:

• Dementia risk factors like cardiovascular disease, smoking, and diabetes are linked to poor oral health and periodontal disease.
• Tooth loss, a marker of oral health compromise, is being investigated for its systemic effects, including potential impacts on cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate tooth loss as a prognostic indicator in dementia.
• To assess associations between compromised oral health (defined by tooth loss) and mortality risk and cognitive decline progression in dementia patients.

Main Methods:

• A register-based cohort study using linked Swedish nationwide health and quality assurance registries.
• Included 3,361 individuals diagnosed with dementia (2010-2013) with follow-up until 2018.
• Categorized participants by tooth count (severe: <10, moderate: 10-19, reference: ≥20) and analyzed mortality and cognitive decline (Mini Mental State Examination scores).

Main Results:

• Tooth loss at dementia diagnosis was not independently associated with increased mortality after covariate adjustment (HR 1.12 [95% CI, 0.97-1.28] for severe loss vs. reference).
• Cognitive decline, measured by Mini Mental State Examination scores, showed no statistically significant differences among tooth loss groups.
• No association was observed between tooth loss and increased mortality or cognitive decline in individuals newly diagnosed with dementia after robust covariate control.

Conclusions:

• Tooth loss was not found to be an independent prognostic indicator for mortality or cognitive decline in individuals newly diagnosed with dementia.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of tooth loss as an independent risk factor or a contributing marker in dementia prognosis.