Researchers studied over 8 million older Americans to understand how tooth loss affects overall health and independence. They found that people who have lost many teeth struggle more with walking, have less energy, feel sadder, and have hearing problems compared to those who kept their teeth. The study suggests that keeping your teeth healthy might be just as important for staying active and independent as exercise or other health habits. This research shows that dental health is connected to many parts of aging well, not just having a nice smile.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether losing teeth is connected to problems with movement, energy, mood, hearing, and thinking in older adults
  • Who participated: 787 people aged 60 and older from a large national health survey representing about 8.35 million older Americans
  • Key finding: People with very few teeth or no teeth were 2-2.4 times more likely to have trouble walking, feel depressed, and experience hearing loss compared to those with 20 or more teeth
  • What it means for you: Taking care of your teeth throughout life may help you stay mobile, energetic, and mentally healthy as you age. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that tooth loss causes these problems

The Research Details

Scientists looked at health information collected from thousands of Americans between 2009 and 2014. They focused on 787 people aged 60 and older who had complete information about their teeth and overall health. The researchers grouped people by how many teeth they had: 20 or more (healthy), 10-19 (some loss), 1-9 (severe loss), or none at all (edentulous). They then checked whether people in each group had problems with walking, energy levels, mood, hearing, and memory.

This type of study is like taking a snapshot in time rather than following people over years. The researchers used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect health, like age, weight, and smoking, so they could focus specifically on the tooth-health connection.

Understanding how tooth loss connects to overall health helps doctors and dentists see that oral health isn’t separate from general health. This approach is important because it looks at multiple areas of health at once, rather than just teeth. The study used a nationally representative sample, meaning the results likely apply to many older Americans, not just a small group.

This study has some strengths: it included a large, diverse group of Americans and adjusted for other health factors. However, because it’s a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we can’t say for certain that losing teeth causes these problems—only that they’re connected. The study also only included people with complete health information, which might mean some sicker people were left out. The findings suggest a relationship worth investigating further with longer-term studies.

What the Results Show

People with 10-19 teeth were more than twice as likely to have trouble walking compared to those with 20 or more teeth. Those with even fewer teeth (1-9) or no teeth at all also showed increased walking difficulties. This was the most consistent finding across all tooth-loss groups.

Tooth loss was also connected to lower energy and appetite. People with fewer teeth reported unintentional weight loss and reduced appetite, suggesting that difficulty chewing or eating might affect their nutrition and energy levels.

People with no teeth at all showed the strongest connection to mood problems. They were nearly twice as likely to have depression symptoms and more than twice as likely to experience anhedonia (loss of pleasure in activities they normally enjoy). This suggests tooth loss might affect mental health significantly.

Edentulous participants also had more than double the risk of hearing loss compared to those with healthy teeth. This unexpected connection suggests that tooth loss and hearing problems might share common causes related to aging or overall health.

The study found that the connection between teeth and health problems got stronger as people lost more teeth. Even moderate tooth loss (10-19 teeth) showed concerning patterns, though the most severe problems appeared in people with no teeth. The researchers also noted that multiple health areas were affected simultaneously, suggesting tooth loss impacts overall wellness rather than just one system.

This research adds to growing evidence that oral health is deeply connected to overall health in older adults. Previous studies have suggested links between tooth loss and heart disease, but this study is among the first to examine connections to mobility, energy, mood, and hearing together. The findings support the WHO’s broader view of healthy aging that includes many different aspects of physical and mental function.

The study shows connections but cannot prove that tooth loss causes these health problems—other factors might explain both. The research only looked at one point in time, so we don’t know if tooth loss leads to health decline or if declining health leads to tooth loss. The study only included people with complete health information, which might exclude the sickest older adults. Additionally, people who lost teeth for different reasons (disease, injury, or choice) weren’t separated, which could affect results. Finally, the study relied on self-reported information about symptoms rather than medical exams for some conditions.

The Bottom Line

Maintain and protect your natural teeth throughout life through regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups (moderate confidence). If you’ve already lost teeth, work with your dentist on replacement options like dentures or implants to maintain chewing ability and nutrition (moderate confidence). If you’re experiencing mobility problems, mood changes, or hearing loss, mention your dental status to your doctor, as these might be connected (low to moderate confidence). These recommendations are based on this one study and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

This research is most relevant to people aged 60 and older who are concerned about staying independent and healthy. It’s also important for middle-aged people thinking about long-term health planning. Dentists and doctors caring for older adults should consider this connection when treating patients. However, people with tooth loss shouldn’t panic—many other factors affect health and mobility, and modern dental replacements can help restore function.

If tooth loss has already occurred, improvements from dental treatment (like dentures or implants) might take weeks to months as you adjust. Preventing future tooth loss through good dental care is a long-term strategy that protects health over years and decades. If you’re considering dental work, discuss realistic timelines with your dentist.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log your chewing ability and appetite at meals (rate 1-10) weekly, and track any changes in walking distance or energy levels monthly to monitor whether dental health changes affect your overall function
  • Set reminders for daily dental care (brushing twice, flossing once), schedule dental checkups every 6 months, and if you have dentures or implants, track your adjustment period and comfort improvements
  • Create a ‘whole health’ dashboard that connects dental visits with mobility scores, mood check-ins, and energy levels to visualize how oral health relates to your overall wellness over time

This research shows a connection between tooth loss and health problems in older adults, but cannot prove that tooth loss directly causes these issues. Individual results vary greatly based on overall health, genetics, and other factors. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical or dental advice. If you’re experiencing mobility problems, mood changes, hearing loss, or other health concerns, consult your doctor or dentist for personalized evaluation and treatment. Decisions about dental care should be made in consultation with your dental healthcare provider.