Association of Masticatory Function With Mortality in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Oral Health Research

Background:

• Global population is aging rapidly.
• Tooth loss due to age-related oral diseases impairs chewing function.
• Reduced masticatory function is a significant public health concern in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between masticatory function and mortality in older adults.
• To determine if reduced chewing capacity predicts mortality risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2009-2018).
• Mortality data sourced from the National Death Index (NDI).
• Masticatory function assessed by functional tooth units (FTUs); statistical models included Cox proportional hazards and propensity score matching (PSM).

Main Results:

• Study included 5,780 adults aged 60+.
• Individuals with 0–3 FTUs had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.8) compared to those with 10–12 FTUs, even after PSM.
• Consistent findings observed across subgroup analyses.

Conclusions:

• Impaired masticatory function is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in older adults.
• Maintaining and enhancing oral function may promote healthy longevity.
• Findings provide guidance for older adults and caregivers on oral health management.