Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are vital for the regeneration of periodontal tissue. Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, a potent stimulator of tissue regeneration, is extensive and abundant in the bone matrix. However, the effect of TGF‑β1 in periodontal differentiation remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of TGF‑β1 on human PDLSCs. PDLSCs were isolated using CD146 microbeads, and characterized by flow cytometry. The present study demonstrated that treatment with TGF‑β1 induced PDLSC senescence, characterized by increases in senescence‑associated beta‑galactosidase activity and elevation of both p16 and p21 expression. Furthermore, TGF‑β1 treatment demonstrated the capacity to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Of note, addition of a ROS scavenger successfully rescued the TGF‑β1‑induced PDLSC senescence. Thus, the present results indicated that TGF‑β1 may serve a vital role in PDLSC senescence, and thus represent a potential target involved in the fabrication and formation of hard tissue for clinical treatment.