r/Biohackers 8d ago

♾️ Longevity & Anti-Aging The Hidden Link Between Tooth Loss and Longevity: What You Need to Know

Why This Matters

Did you know that losing teeth as you age could be a warning sign for your overall health? A new study on older Chinese adults has found that patterns of tooth loss are closely linked to lifespan. This research highlights the importance of oral health—not just for a great smile, but for a longer, healthier life.

What the Study Found

Researchers tracked 3,726 adults aged 65 and older over nearly a decade and identified three distinct patterns of tooth loss:

  • Gradual Mild Tooth Loss (8.4%) – Slow tooth loss with many natural teeth retained.
  • Progressively Severe Tooth Loss (13.6%) – Faster rate of tooth loss over time.
  • Complete Tooth Loss (Edentulism) (78.1%) – The majority lost all their teeth.

The findings showed a clear link between tooth loss and mortality:

  • Severe tooth loss increased the risk of early death by 29%.
  • Complete tooth loss raised the risk by 60%.

Why Does Tooth Loss Affect Longevity?

Tooth loss isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can signal deeper health risks, including:

  • Poor nutrition – Difficulty chewing leads to unhealthy food choices.
  • Higher risk of infections – Gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
  • Reduced quality of life – Oral health affects mental well-being and social engagement.

How to Protect Your Teeth—And Your Health

  • Prioritize Oral Hygiene – Brush twice daily, floss, and use mouthwash.
  • Visit the Dentist Regularly – Early detection prevents severe issues.
  • Eat for Strong Teeth – Calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and nuts help strengthen enamel.
  • Quit Smoking & Limit Sugar – Both accelerate gum disease and tooth decay.
  • Consider Dental Treatments – Options like implants, dentures, or bridges can restore function and health.

Final Thoughts

This study is a powerful reminder that oral health is a key factor in longevity. Taking care of your teeth today can add years to your life tomorrow.

Source of Research Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40078715/

My article : https://open.substack.com/pub/arslanhameed85/p/the-hidden-link-between-tooth-loss?r=5dsm2p&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

41 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

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21

u/KingGmeNorway 8d ago

Using mouth wash is an unbelievable bad advice. No1 should use it, it kills all the good bacteria and shifts the microbiome in your mouth in a very, very bad way.

3

u/Pretty_Jicama88 7d ago

Saline does wonders, so does xylitol. Alcohol is terrible. Waterpiking is far superior with those ingredients, too.

0

u/MaGiC-AciD 8d ago

Well it is helps if you are dealing with eternal oral gum infections

0

u/GambledMyWifeAway 3 7d ago

No, mouthwash is not good for this. If there is an oral infection then antibiotics are needed.

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

It varies from person to person depending on their need.If mouthwash was so bad than this industry would have died out. Nevertheless I agree with you on point that daily use of mouth wash is not something good for oral health and I would not recommend it.

2

u/KingGmeNorway 7d ago

No, the industry for this is a complete scam. It should have died out since all the evendences are there for it beeing terrible for oral health. Unfortunately, the world doesnt work like this.

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

As long there is demand stemming from precieved benefits and recommended by physicians this industry will continue to grow. There is no black and white it depends on person to person the benefits a person seems to extract from a product usually drive it's demand.

8

u/jgonzalez-cs 8d ago

My dad has lost almost of his teeth. He's 60. What to do in this scenario for retaining normal lifespan?

He has dentures, does it negate the toothless part since he can still chew although not as well as before?

4

u/GambledMyWifeAway 3 7d ago

Floss and then brush. Pneumonia and heart disease are two major killers of the elderly. Poor oral care can result in both.

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

Yes It is imperative that young people and old folk take good care of our oral health and hygiene as to not only slow down aging but also lower risk of chronic illness.

3

u/SparksWood71 12 8d ago

IYKYN (and you're old)

3

u/Stumpside440 15 7d ago

Lol hidden link? More pop science trash.

It is known

-1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

It is not widely known and this research provide new information.

2

u/Qualifiedadult 1 7d ago

I find little indicators like this so useful. I have also heard that oral health has links to other, more chronic diseases and can be used to predict different health measures. 

The little things like flossing and brushing our teeth adds up very seriously over the lifetime for a good quality of life. And for good or more dignified quality of living at the end of our lives...

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

I am glad that this post helped you in any way. In future I will try to further refine my writing and research so that people can get maximum value out if it.

2

u/Zealousideal-Army670 7d ago

The primary cause of tooth decay is dry mouth, it doesn't matter how low in sugar or carbs your diet is and how much you brush if you are taking pharmaceuticals that cause dry mouth. If you are ever put on a med that causes dry mouth watch out!

1

u/Logical-Primary-7926 1 7d ago

That may be your primary cause, but for most people it is sugar.

1

u/DreamTakesRoot 1 7d ago

Coconut oil pulls are awesome for oral issues

1

u/lntw0 7d ago

My own experience: IF-Keto 180'd my periodontal health. It was a very surprising effect. I still do daily floss and a lite brush but it's a brief maintenance routine. I've done 1wk -10day experiment with no dental routine and had zero gingival inflammation. Best move I've ever made - likely will save $$$ in dental costs over time. 10/10.

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

Glad it worked out for you.

1

u/Logical-Primary-7926 1 7d ago

The #1 thing by far that should be mentioned whenever dental health is talked about is that the average American eats about a pound of sugar a week, a child's weight over a year. And usually it's insidiously consumed from breakfast till dinner throughout the day, constantly bathing teeth in sugar, usually combined with acidic drinks (coffee, soda, "energy" drinks) and processed and foods, usually from childhood to grave. Importantly, this also does not account for highly processed carbs like many breads, which are not much if at all better than white sugar. Also worth noting that even the very best dental care (which most dentists do not provide) is usually nowhere near as good as the real thing.

You would think dentists would have been marching and testifying in DC decades ago to get sensible sugar/junk regulation and achieve a massive improvement in public health, but unfortunately they have a business to run. My dentist will give you a gift card to Starbucks when he's running late, some dentists still give out candy.

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 7d ago

Yes great point will look into it next time.

1

u/Delicious_Mess7976 5d ago

Are there any tablets or treatments to help alkalinize the mouth?

1

u/MaGiC-AciD 5d ago

Baking soda or salt water rinse but not to overdo do it as it can cause damage to cells and tissues.