London - People who have lost a tooth may be more likely to develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and change in bowel habits.
Men and women who had lost between one and five teeth were found to be up to 35 times more at risk of IBS.
The findings, from Isfahan University in Iran, were based on questionnaire results from nearly 4 700 people.
The researchers also found that people who had dentures were twice as likely to have IBS with constipation.
Exactly how tooth loss is linked to IBS is unclear, but the researchers, writing in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, suggested loss of teeth may mean patients avoid high-fibre foods which are difficult to chew, and this affects digestion.
Daily Mail