An Unexpected Marker of Premature Death Published 0 12

Scientists from Sichuan University (China) have established that the rate at which elderly people lose teeth is directly related to the risk of premature death. The study, published in BMC Geriatrics, showed that the faster a person loses teeth, the higher the likelihood of mortality — regardless of the initial number of teeth.

The study involved 8,073 elderly individuals who were monitored for an average of 3.5 years. Researchers compared the rates of tooth loss with mortality data and found a consistent correlation even after accounting for factors such as age, gender, education level, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

According to the authors, rapid tooth loss is not a direct cause of death but reflects underlying health issues — chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, tooth loss worsens dietary intake, reducing the intake of key nutrients and exacerbating overall depletion.

Experts emphasize that regular dental visits, oral hygiene, and quitting smoking not only preserve smiles but also extend life. Monitoring tooth loss could serve as a simple biomarker of overall health in the elderly and an early warning of serious disease risks.