Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 24, 2025
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
13.2K
Tooth Loss and Nutritional Status in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
R Zelig1,2, S Goldstein1, R Touger-Decker1,2
1Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, USA.
JDR Clinical and Translational Research
|December 21, 2020
Summary
Older adults with tooth loss face a 21% higher risk of malnutrition. Early screening and intervention are crucial for optimizing nutrition and oral health in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Older adults are susceptible to tooth loss, impacting their nutritional status.
- Compromised nutrition in seniors is a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between tooth loss and nutritional status in adults aged 60 years and older living in developed countries.
- To identify the risk of malnutrition in older adults based on their dentition status.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched major databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE) for studies published between 2009 and 2019.
- Utilized random-effects meta-analysis to pool data from 6 eligible studies, assessing risk of bias.
Main Results:
- Seven studies met inclusion criteria; six were included in the meta-analysis.
- Individuals who were completely edentulous or lacked functional dentition had a 21% increased likelihood of being at risk of malnutrition (Risk Ratio: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11-1.32).
- Heterogeneity in results was largely explained by whether studies statistically adjusted for medical history.
Conclusions:
- Tooth loss is associated with a significantly higher risk of malnutrition in older adults.
- Validated nutrition screening tools are essential for early detection and intervention in edentulous or functionally dentition-impaired seniors.
- Further high-quality cohort studies with consistent assessment methods are needed to confirm findings and guide clinical practice.
Keywords:
dentitionelder nutritional physiological phenomenageriatricsmalnutritionnutrition assessmentnutrition indexMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Teeth
1.4K
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...
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...
1.4K
01:29Bone Disorders
4.9K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
4.9K
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
3.0K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
3.0K
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
4.5K
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
4.5K
01:21Tooth Anatomy
1.7K
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...
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...
1.7K
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
101
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
101