Association of Edentulism With Subsequent Biological Age: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Biological ageing is characterised by a gradual decline in physiological functions, resulting in increased susceptibility to diseases and mortality. We investigated the relationship between edentulism and biological ageing among adults in England. METHODS: Data were drawn from participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing who completed three consecutive biennial waves (waves 2-3-4 or 4-5-6), yielding 1889 individuals providing 2390 three-wave panel observations (mean age at baseline 68.1; men 47.7%). Edentulism was assessed in waves 3 and 5. Biological ageing was estimated using the Klemera and Doubal method, integrating multiple biomarkers assessed in waves 2, 4 and 6. Linear regression with clustered standard errors was employed to evaluate the association between edentulism and biological age in the subsequent wave (i.e., 2 years after the assessment of edentulism). Models were adjusted for pre-exposure confounders, including biological age, gender, socioeconomic status, existing health conditions and functional limitation assessed in the prior wave (i.e., 2 years before the assessment of edentulism). RESULTS: Participants with edentulism exhibited a 5.8-year greater biological age than those with some remaining teeth in the subsequent waves. After adjusting for confounding variables, edentulism was associated with a 0.82-year greater biological age than those with some remaining teeth (95% confidence interval: 0.40-1.24) in the subsequent waves. CONCLUSION: Edentulism was longitudinally associated with a greater biological age. Strategies that incorporate oral health promotion, particularly the prevention of tooth loss, may contribute to healthy ageing.