A study in Singapore has found that maintaining more natural teeth is associated with significantly more years of independent living among older adults, especially among those who do not use removable dental prostheses.
The study, led by the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), in collaboration with researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School—and published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health—assessed how tooth retention influences the number of years lived with and without limitations in daily activities (Activities of Daily Living [ADLs], such as bathing, dressing and eating and physical function such as walking and climbing stairs).
Specifically, the study found that among older adults who did not use removable dental prostheses, those who retained 20–32 natural teeth experienced substantially longer periods of independent living compared to those with no natural teeth.
“Our findings suggest that good oral health is not only about having a nice smile—it is essential to supporting our physical function, independence, and overall wellbeing in older age,” Professor Marco Peres said.
“This research highlights the importance of both tooth retention and prosthetic rehabilitation, which can add more meaningful years of healthy, independent living and in promoting healthy aging.”
The research also highlighted the role of removable dental prostheses in supporting healthy ageing, particularly when tooth loss is unavoidable.
Among prosthesis users with secondary or higher education, those with 20-32 natural teeth experienced more years without ADL limitations, while those with 10 to 19 natural teeth experienced more years without physical function limitations, compared to those with no natural teeth.
These findings were concluded from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of more than 3000 Singaporeans aged 60 and above.
