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Teeth

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...

Oral Cavity

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...

Assessment of the Mouth

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

Tooth Anatomy

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.

Deglutition

Deglutition

Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral

The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring around the age...

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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

[Teeth or chewing and QOL].

Yutaka Takata¹, Toshihiro Ansai, Kazuo Sonoki

¹Division of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu Dental College.

Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine

|February 12, 2008

Summary

Good chewing ability and sufficient teeth number are linked to better quality of life, daily activities, physical fitness, cognitive function, and lower mortality in older adults.

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Oral Health
Public Health

Context:

Oral health, including chewing ability and teeth number, is often overlooked in comprehensive health assessments of elderly populations.
Maintaining oral function is crucial for overall well-being and independence in aging individuals.

Purpose:

To investigate the association between chewing ability and the number of sound teeth with various health indicators in elderly populations.
To determine the relationship between oral health parameters and quality of life (QOL), activities of daily living (ADL), physical fitness, cognitive function, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and mortality.

Summary:

Chewing ability, assessed by the variety of foods a person can chew, correlated positively with satisfaction and was linked to ADL in 80- and 85-year-olds, and physical fitness in 80-year-olds.

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A higher number of sound teeth (≥20) or good dentition status was associated with better cognitive function in individuals aged 60-65 and a lower prevalence of abnormal ECG findings.

Improved chewing ability was also linked to reduced mortality rates, highlighting the systemic impact of oral health in the elderly.

Impact:

Findings underscore the importance of preserving chewing function and teeth number for maintaining a high quality of life and functional independence in older adults.
This research highlights oral health as a significant, modifiable factor influencing multiple health outcomes, including cognitive and cardiovascular health, and longevity in the aging population.
Emphasizes the need for integrated healthcare approaches that consider oral health assessments as a routine component of geriatric care to promote healthy aging.