Association between oral health and nutritional intake among older denture wearers

This study examined the association between oral health and nutritional intake among older denture wearers.

Oral health parameters were evaluated in 114 denture wearers, including the number of remaining teeth (<20 or ≥20), posterior occlusal support (Eichner classification A1-B3 or B4-C3), objective masticatory assessment (glucose concentration: <100 or ≥100 mg/dL), subjective masticatory assessment (self-reported masticatory problems), and occlusal force (<500 or ≥500 N). Nutritional intake was assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Differences in nutritional intake according to oral health parameters were assessed using multiple regression analysis.

Fewer remaining teeth were associated with higher total fat (β = 0.207, P = 0.038) and plant fat (β = 0.242, P = 0.017) intakes, and with lower carbohydrate (β = -0.264, P = 0.026) and cereal (β = -0.320, P = 0.002) intakes. The presence of masticatory problems and absence of posterior occlusal support were associated with lower intakes of plant protein (β = -0.311, P = 0.002) and meat (β = -0.232, P = 0.022), respectively.

Among older denture wearers, denture design-related factors, such as the number of remaining teeth and posterior occlusal support, were associated with more nutritional intake items than oral function-related parameters.