A team of scientists from the Federal University of Pelotas (Brazil), New York University, and the U.S. National Institute on Aging says weight gain is largely linked to having fewer teeth and to loss of bone and gum tissue. appears tied to those oral-health changes.
During the study, the researchers followed more than 900 participants in a health-study project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee.
At the start of the project, volunteers underwent oral exams, during which the researchers recorded missing teeth and gum disease.
Over four years of follow-up, about 12 percent of participants gained at least 5 percent of their body weight. People with fewer teeth and worse oral health were more likely to gain weight, the scientists reported in the Journal of Periodontology.
Tooth loss also reduces a person’s ability to chew, which can limit their healthy food choices. A person may avoid fiber-rich, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and instead choose soft foods that are often high in calories. can therefore change diet in ways that promote weight gain.
The findings mainly applied to older adults, who tend to lose teeth over time. The scientists say tooth loss in older age is not an inevitable part of aging; it usually results from factors accumulated over a lifetime and from systemic changes in the body.
The most common causes of tooth loss are:
- age-related changes in oral tissues
- gum disease
- complications from previous dental prosthetics
- dry mouth that leads to cavities
- reduced blood circulation
- diabetes
- a genetic tendency toward early loss of dental bone.
Social factors and lifestyle choices can also weaken teeth, including:
- stress
- social isolation
- poor oral hygiene
- smoking
- poor, nutrient‑deficient diets
- vitamin deficiencies.
What else the researchers found
The team found that molars—the back teeth that interact during chewing—play a key role in preventing excess weight. Participants who lacked molars had a 17 percent higher risk of gaining weight, Medical Xpress reports.
“Loss of functional teeth, especially molars, is linked to a higher likelihood of weight gain.” Natalia Pola, professor at the Federal University of Pelotas and the study’s lead researcher.
The scientists urge people who want to maintain a healthy weight or lose a few pounds to take better care of their oral health.
Commenting on the findings, Ana Besil Gilio, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, said, “These results add to the evidence that periodontal health plays an important role in overall health, especially as people age.” She said maintaining healthy teeth and gums supports better nutrition, the formation of healthy habits, and an improved quality of life in later years.
The authors plan to conduct additional studies to better understand the connection between missing teeth and weight gain.
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