Age-related changes in oral mechanosensitivity of symptom-free subjects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on the tactile and pain sensitivity, and the factors influencing threshold change in the oral mucosa using Semmes-Weinstein Pressure Aesthesiometer. The touch and pain thresholds of 81 healthy elderly (40 males and 41 females, 77 +/- 4.5 years) were compared with those of 58 young volunteers (27 males and 31 females, 27 +/- 2.5 years). We measured the pain thresholds, the touch thresholds, PCR score and amount of salivation. Semmes-Weinstein Pressure Aesthesiometer was applied to 9 points in the oral region and 4 points in the hands; the dorsum manus, the palma manus, the incisive papilla, the palatal mucosa, the buccal mucosa, the margin of the tongue, and the dorsum of the tongue. Elderly subjects showed significantly higher touch thresholds than those of young subjects in the dorsum manus, the palma manus, the buccal mucosa, the incisive papilla, the margin of the tongue, and the dorsum of the tongue (P < 0.05). The pain thresholds of elderly subjects were significantly lower than those of young subjects in the buccal mucosa and the palatal mucosa (P < 0.05). The touch threshold was not influenced by the smoking habit, denture and amount of salivation. The pain threshold was influenced by the denture on the palate.