Association Between Tooth Loss and Cancer Mortality in Elderly Individuals

Over the past decade, much evidence has emerged showing an association between oral health and systemic health condition, though few have studied the relationship between impaired dental status and cancer mortality. Although tooth loss is a good clinical indicator of poor oral health because it is less prone to measurement error, results of epidemiological research using tooth loss as a measurement of oral health are limited, likely because periodontal disease has been a particular focus of attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes in other reports that suggest associations between dental status, especially tooth loss, and cancer mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, several potential mechanisms related to those associations are discussed.