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08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Poor chewing ability is associated with lower mucosal moisture in elderly individuals
Tetsuko Shinkawa1, Naomi Hayashida, Kurumi Mori
1Department of Radiation Epidemiology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|December 8, 2009
Summary
Oral dryness, common in older adults, impacts chewing ability. This study found lower oral mucosal moisture in elderly individuals with poor chewing function, highlighting a link between hydration and oral health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oral Health
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Oral dryness (xerostomia) is a prevalent condition affecting elderly populations.
- Objective evaluation of oral mucosal moisture is crucial for managing oral health in aging individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively measure oral mucosal moisture in elderly individuals using a moisture checker.
- To investigate the relationship between objective oral mucosal moisture, laboratory findings, and subjective oral status, particularly chewing ability.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 502 adults (mean age 72.3 years) in Japan underwent medical screening.
- Oral mucosal moisture was measured using a moisture checker, alongside assessments of subjective oral dryness, self-assessed chewing ability, and laboratory data.
Main Results:
- Objective oral mucosal moisture levels were significantly lower in elderly women with poor chewing ability compared to those with good chewing ability.
- Across all subjects, lower mucosal moisture correlated with poorer self-assessed chewing ability.
- Older age, female sex, and anemia were independently associated with reduced chewing ability.
Conclusions:
- Poor chewing ability in the elderly is associated with objectively lower oral mucosal moisture.
- These findings underscore the importance of assessing oral hydration for maintaining chewing function and overall oral health in older adults.
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