Simple oral exercise with chewing gum for improving oral function in older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral Health
• Physiology

Background:

• Oral and general health are intrinsically linked, suggesting oral health promotion can enhance longevity.
• Aging is associated with declines in oral functions, impacting overall well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term impact of simple oral exercise (SOE) and chewing gum exercise (GOE) on mastication, salivation, and swallowing in adults aged 65 years and older.

Main Methods:

• A 96-participant randomized controlled trial compared SOE, GOE (SOE + chewing gum), and a control group over 8 weeks with a 3-week maintenance period.
• Evaluated outcomes included the Mixing Ability Index (MAI), occlusal force, saliva production, and swallowing function.
• Measurements were taken at baseline and at 2, 5, 8, and 11 weeks.

Main Results:

• Both SOE and GOE significantly improved MAI, with GOE showing the largest increase compared to controls.
• Occlusal force increased by 56 N (SOE) and 60 N (GOE).
• Salivation increased 3.6-fold with SOE and 2.2-fold with GOE; swallowing function improved in 27% (SOE) and 18% (GOE) of participants, with reduced discomfort reported.

Conclusions:

• Simple oral exercises, particularly when combined with chewing gum (GOE), can effectively enhance mastication, salivation, and swallowing functions in older adults.
• Findings support the development of clinical guidelines for geriatric oral care.
• GOE is specifically recommended for older adults with compromised masticatory abilities.