Oral health is a worldwide public health problem for the elderly. Poor oral health is a well-known determinant of poor nutritional intake and carries a high risk of cardiovascular disease, pain, and reduced quality of life. Additionally, it is considered a potential risk factor for reduced cognitive function.

Significant increases in systemic inflammatory markers can be observed in elderly people with poor oral health and dementia, and some scholars believe that inflammatory factors may mediate the relationship between oral health and cognition. However, the impact of oral health on cognition remains less clear, especially with regard to edentulousness and cognition.

Cognitive function is an important aspect of healthy ageing in both developing and developed countries. Empirical evidence reveals the negative consequences of cognitive impairment and dementia, including significant risk of mortality and reduced mental health and quality of life in older adults and their family caregivers. In addition, a recent review summarizes the impact of later-life cognitive function on oral health.

People with cognitive impairment often need the help of a caregiver in their daily oral care. Studies have shown that people with cognitive impairment and dementia are relatively more likely to have poor oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal disease. While missing teeth are often associated with chronic inflammation and periodontal disease, research on the association between cognitive function and missing teeth has been mixed.

Previous longitudinal studies have found that cognitive function affects oral health and vice versa. However, there are few studies on the relationship between cognitive function and missing teeth, especially in developing countries. In order to explore the relationship between cognitive function and edentulousness in middle-aged and elderly people in China, scholars from the School of Social and Demographic Research, Renmin University of China conducted a related study, and the results were published in the latest "Aging and Aging" magazine Age & Aging .

Data are from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011 and 2015. The sample included 14,038 respondents over the age of 45. Cognitive function was assessed by episodic memory, 10-item telephone interview (TICS) testing cognitive status, and graph drawing.

The results showed that among older respondents, cognition (b=0.520, SD=0.023, P<0.001) and missing teeth (b=1.984, SD=0.112, P<0.001) between 2011 and 2015 0.001) is statistically significant.

Among respondents aged 45-59 years, baseline cognitive function was associated with subsequent edentulous status [b = 0.017, SD = 0.006, P < 0.01]. In contrast, edentulousness at baseline was not significantly associated with poorer cognitive function at follow-up (b = 0.744, SD = 0.383, P > 0.05). However, among respondents over 60 years of age, baseline cognitive function was associated with subsequent edentulous status (b = 0.017, SD = 0.005, P < 0.01), and baseline edentulous status was also associated with lower levels of subsequent cognitive function. functional correlation (b = 0.419, SD = 0.143, P < 0.01).

The above findings demonstrate an interrelationship between cognitive function and edentia. Thus, promoting the development of cognition and oral health is very important, especially in the elderly.