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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
Tongue function is important for masticatory performance in the healthy elderly: a cross-sectional survey of
Keiichiro Sagawa1, Hiroyasu Furuya1, Yuki Ohara2
1The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation, Tokyo, Japan.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine the influences of oral motor function such as tongue function and bite force on masticatory performance in the elderly.
Methods:
We randomly selected 245 subjects who has 28 natural teeth among community-dwelling elderly. We evaluated masticatory performance using a gummy jelly, and also measured bite force, tongue muscle force, and the speed of tongue movement.
Results:
We found that reduced masticatory performance to be associated with decreased the speed of tongue movement and/or tongue muscle force, indicating that reduced oral motor function also influences masticatory performance.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that keeping oral motor function, as well as maintenance of occlusal support, to be important for maintaining masticatory function in the elderly.
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