Dentist discusses association between tooth loss and dementia risk

Tooth loss and impaired chewing are statistically associated with cognitive problems, dentist Samvel Apresyan told Lenta.ru. The association alone does not establish that losing teeth causes dementia.

In comments published on October 9, Apresyan said the association was particularly relevant to older adults and people with additional risk factors. The professor, who is also an expert for the Corega brand, described why dentists investigate possible connections between oral health and brain function.

Chewing sends signals to the central nervous system from receptors in chewing muscles, periodontal tissues and the oral mucosa, he explained. This stimulation is associated with activity in neural networks involved in learning and memory.

Losing teeth and chewing less effectively may reduce that flow of signals, the dentist said. He highlighted molars and premolars because they perform much of the work of breaking down food. Possible effects on neuroplasticity and brain activity remain subjects of research.

Research reviews also report an association between tooth loss and cognitive decline. A meta-analysis of cohort studies published in 2023 identified statistical associations with dementia and cognitive impairment. Observational evidence, however, does not automatically attribute all additional risk to tooth loss itself.

Age, other illnesses and shared risk factors can influence the results. The association therefore does not mean dementia is inevitable after losing teeth, or that restoring chewing has itself been proven to prevent the disease.