A recent study carried out by researchers in Japan has found positive associations between sound and filled teeth and all-cause mortality.
Published in BMC Oral Health in late 2025, the study found that counting sound and filled teeth was more accurate for predicting all-cause mortality when compared to counting the number of sound teeth alone, or the volume of sound, filled, and decayed teeth combined.
This new information emphasises the need for patients to keep excellent oral hygiene routines, and receive effective support, long into old age. The study itself focused on patients aged 75 and over who attended annual dental check-ups across two years, with over 190,000 participants.
The authors of the paper suggest that the diagnosis of tooth conditions is clinically relevant for assessing the risk of all-cause mortality. Previous studies explored factors including only the number of non-missing teeth as a predictor.
Oral health in old age
Optimal oral health in old age is vital, as increased tooth loss can affect mastication and diet. Poor oral health increases the risk of periodontal diseases, which can cause tooth loss and are linked to chronic inflammation, and therefore a variety of other general health concerns.
These include impacts on cardiovascular, endocrine and respiratory systems, according to another 2025 study in the British Dental Journal.
Such findings can also have an effect on wider scale care, with a better understanding of which patients are at greater risk of mortality in their later years, creating the possibility for referrals to general health professionals.
The power of a restoration
It’s important to note that this new study complements existing understanding around oral health and mortality rates. Previously, the literature has explored the impact of dentures, with a 2023 study from Frontiers in Public Health – basing their findings on the relationship between number of non-missing teeth and mortality – noting that restorations may reduce all-cause mortality rates.
Together, the latest findings suggest that the role of dental professionals is key in aiding longer life, and supporting patients as they age in all aspects of their life.
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