Evaluating your likely current (and near future) state of health means taking into account the risk factors — such as how many adult teeth have been lost — that affect you. Our medical diagnosis tool, The Analyst™, identifies major risk factors by asking the right questions.
Not counting wisdom teeth, how many of your adult teeth are missing?
Possible responses:
→ None / I am a child / don't know→ One → Two or three → 4-9 teeth → 10 or more teeth |
For reasons not yet fully understood, adults without teeth appear more likely to have chronic kidney disease.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that those who couldn't chew properly because they were missing teeth and didn't wear dentures were at increased risk (91% for men, 22% for women) for developing dementia than those who were able to chew normally. Those who could chew properly but didn't brush daily also had increased risk (22% for men, 65% for women). Among those who had not seen their dentist within the last 12 months there was also increased risk (89% for men, 12% for women) compared to those who had seen the dentist two or more times.
It is believed that the inflammation associated with periodontal disease may affect the brain, contributing to dementia, and that those with fewer teeth who don't wear dentures may develop dietary deficiencies that are related to dementia.
Dental conditions such as a high filling or displaced teeth due to tooth loss can cause TMJ. When teeth shift due to earlier loss of teeth, this can result in tooth/jaw misalignment.