Tooth loss, dementia and neuropathology in the Nun study.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective longitudinal cohort study with post-mortem neuropathological follow-up
PubMed 17908844 · doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2007.0046
What was done
Longitudinal dental records were combined with up to 10 annual cognitive assessments in 144 participants aged 75 to 98 years from the Milwaukee cohort of the Nun Study. Neuropathologic findings at autopsy were evaluated for the 118 participants who died during follow-up to examine whether a history of oral disease and tooth loss is linked to dementia onset.
What was found
The abstract reports directional associations but provides no exact numerical values, hazard ratios, or confidence intervals. A low number of teeth was associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of dementia. Participants with the fewest teeth had the highest risk, and edentulism or possessing between one and nine teeth was identified as a predictor of late-life dementia.
Why it matters
This study suggests that tooth loss and oral disease may precede the onset of dementia rather than merely serving as downstream consequences of cognitive decline.
Limits
The abstract reports no effect sizes, statistical metrics, or p-values. The sample size is small (n = 144 total, 118 autopsies) and limited to a homogenous group of Catholic religious sisters, restricting generalizability. Neuropathological autopsy details and adjustments for potential confounders are not described in the abstract.
Cited by
- partial A study conducted in a convent through Guy's Hospital in London showed that earlier tooth loss was associated with a higher risk of early-onset dementia.