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• The present study reaffirmed the correlation between functional dentition and cognitive performance by examining data obtained from a sample of 3127 participants. • A sequential relationship was identified, wherein denture usage, depressive symptoms, and social participation were found to mediate the impact of edentulism on cognitive function. • The findings of our study suggest a pressing need to prioritize older adults with complete tooth loss, with timely interventions addressing denture usage, alleviation of depressive symptoms, and enhancement of social engagement showing promise in preventing cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to investigate the chain mediating effects of depressive symptoms and social participation between functional teeth and cognitive function based on the biopsychosocial model. Data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed. The findings revealed a favorable connection between the lack of edentulism and cognitive function, persisting even when accounting for the mediating factors of denture usage, depressive symptoms, and social participation. Furthermore, the study identified six indirect pathways in this relationship. The present study has substantiated the correlation between edentulism and cognitive function, thereby proposing that interventions aimed at denture usage, depressive symptoms, and social participation could potentially serve as preventive measures against cognitive decline in elderly individuals afflicted with edentulism. This underscores the significance of addressing these factors to alleviate cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]