ArticleEvidence-based dentistry2026
Is tooth loss associated with subsequent cognitive decline and dementia in ageing populations?
Article in Evidence-based dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
a commentary onChen H, Ji L, Wang Y, Klineberg I, Chen H. Dentition-Cognition Relationship in Aging Populations: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Data. J Oral Rehabil 2026; 53: 924-38.
designSystematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. CASE SELECTION: Longitudinal cohort and case-control studies assessing dentition status (tooth loss or edentulism) and cognitive outcomes (dementia or mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) were included. Twenty-one studies with approximately 35.7 million participants and a mean follow-up of 8.9 years were analysed. DATA ANALYSIS: Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models depending on heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
resultsTooth loss was associated with an increased risk of both dementia (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.49) and MCI (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.14-1.71), with stronger associations observed in individuals with edentulism, particularly for MCI (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.07-3.35) and to a lesser extent dementia (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.23). Findings also suggested a dose-response relationship, whereby increasing severity of tooth loss corresponded to greater cognitive risk. Subgroup analyses indicated higher risks in women and Western populations. Limited evidence also suggested that denture use attenuated this association, showing no significant increased dementia risk among denture wearers (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.82-1.28).
conclusionsTooth loss is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, with more severe tooth loss conferring greater risk. Prosthodontic rehabilitation may mitigate this association, suggesting a potential role for oral health in supporting cognitive ageing.
Indexed as
Identifiers
42324344What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.