Background There is a scarcity of longitudinal, population-level evidence on the association between chronic diseases and tooth loss. This study aimed to determine the association between chronic diseases and edentulism over a 7-year period.Methods Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 2011 and 2018 waves. Experiences of 14 chronic diseases (doctor diagnosed) were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Association between chronic disease experience and edentulism was determined in regression analyses accounting for demographic factors (age, gender, educational attainment, marital status, neighbourhood) and behaviour (smoking and drinking). Furthermore, association between developing chronic disease and becoming edentulous over the 7-year period was examined adjusting for demographic and behavioural factors.Results Number of chronic diseases was associated with a higher odds of being edentulous and remained so after adjusting for demographic status and behavioural factors in 2011 (N = 16300) OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.02–1.10, P < 0.01 and in 2018 (N = 19431) OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01–1.05, P < 0.05. Longitudinal analyses of dentate participants without chronic disease at baseline (N = 3956) identified that those who developed a chronic disease over the 7-year period had a higher odds of becoming edentulous, accounting for demographic and behavioural factors: OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.04–1.59, P < 0.05. Sub-analyses identified that those who developed specific diseases had higher odds of becoming edentulous: heart disease (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03–1.40, P < 0.05), asthma (OR 1.27, 95%CI 1.01–1.61, P < 0.05) and arthritis (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.01–1.37, P < 0.05).Conclusions Chronic disease status is associated with edentulism. The development of chronic disease over a 7-year period is associated with increased odds of becoming edentulous and development of specific disease poses increased odds of becoming edentulism.