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Is There Evidence That Dental Care Modifies Cognitive Decline? Insights from a Scoping Review
P B Haricharan1, N El-Amier1, B Nicolau1
1Population Oral Health Cluster, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
Background:
Emerging research suggests that poor oral health, manifested as tooth loss, periodontal disease, or edentulism, may contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. However, the role of dental care interventions in modifying this risk remains unclear.
Objective:
To systematically map and evaluate the evidence on whether dental care utilization and specific dental interventions are associated with cognitive function or cognitive decline in middle-aged and elderly populations.
Methods:
A scoping review was conducted using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched from inception to April 11, 2025. Eligible studies examined the association between dental care and cognitive outcomes in adults aged 45 y or older with tooth loss or other oral conditions. Dental care exposures were grouped into 4 domains: dental care utilization, removable prosthodontic rehabilitation, fixed prosthodontic rehabilitation, and periodontal therapy.
Results:
Fifty-three studies were included. Most studies on dental care utilization found that regular dental visits were associated with lower dementia risk, although some showed null associations. Removable prosthodontic rehabilitation, especially with well-fitting or implant-supported dentures, was associated with improved cognitive function, likely mediated by chewing efficiency and nutrition. Fixed prosthodontic rehabilitation, such as implants and crowns, was consistently linked to better cognitive scores. Periodontal therapy showed the most consistent benefit, reducing systemic inflammation and dementia risk. However, evidence remains predominantly observational and marked by substantial heterogeneity across study designs, definitions of dental exposures, and cognitive outcome measures.
Conclusion:
Maintaining oral health via regular dental care appears to support cognitive resilience in middle-aged and older adults. However, standardized methodologies and prospective studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and inform clinical guidelines.Knowledge Transfer Statement:This scoping review maps the current evidence on whether dental care utilization and common oral health interventions are associated with cognitive outcomes in adults. The findings may guide future translational research and integrated care pathways to reduce cognitive decline through optimized dental care.
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