Oral health problems, such as tooth loss, are common among older adults and have been linked to chronic diseases and functional decline. However, evidence based on rigorous longitudinal designs and large-scale population databases remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between tooth loss and the risk of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults. This prospective cohort study included adults aged 65 years and older who participated in a health examination program in Taipei between 2013 and 2022. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8,260 participants were included in the final analysis and followed until the onset of cognitive impairment, their last health examination, or the end of the study period. Tooth loss was assessed through professional dental examinations, and cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Ascertain Dementia 8-Item Questionnaire (AD-8). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Older adults with 9–16 missing teeth had a significantly higher risk (HR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06–1.55) of developing cognitive impairment. Associations for more severe tooth loss (≥ 17 missing teeth) were not statistically significant, possibly due to smaller subgroup sizes and compensatory factors such as denture use. Higher risks were also observed among male participants, those aged 65–84 years, those who were married, had lower educational attainment, or did not engage in regular exercise. Tooth loss is a prevalent condition among older adults and may contribute to an increased risk of cognitive impairment. These findings underscore the importance of regular oral health assessments and targeted preventive strategies as part of comprehensive geriatric care to support cognitive health in aging populations. Not applicable.
Lin et al. (Sat,) studied this question.