MELBOURNE, Australia/LONDON, UK: It is widely known that poor nutrition is a risk factor for frailty. Similarly, the link between nutrition and oral health status has been established in numerous studies. New research has bridged the gap between these two relationships, however, and found that poor oral health is independently associated with frailty.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Monash Aging Research Centre at Monash University in Melbourne, assessed the oral health, nutrition and frailty of 168 hospitalised geriatric patients over six months using previously validated tools.
The results show that elderly people who suffer from frailty are substantially more prone to issues with their oral health. Frailty is linked to a reduced ability to bite and chew food, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink. The study also revealed that frail adults are more likely to feel self-conscious about their teeth, gingivae or dentures and are less likely to access dental care.
Previously, experts have identified a relationship between frailty and difficulties with speech and with taking medication for oral pain.
Dr Nigel Carter, OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, a UK-based charity, stated in a press release regarding the study that the oral health of older people remains an ongoing issue.
“In the UK, people are living longer than ever before. This will increase the amount of poor health, frailty and disability. In turn, it will create a series of challenges for how we care for the population’s oral health,” he said.
“The first problems to occur are often because of a loss of dexterity. Limited mobility, no matter how small, can have an extremely large effect on our ability to care for our own health. In terms of oral health, this means effective toothbrushing becomes much harder. Balanced nutrition also becomes more difficult,” he continued.
Carter called on the UK government to provide greater access to dental services for frail adults in hospitals, as well as for those in nursing homes, and to provide better oral health training for carers. “The government must find such proactive solutions if they are to address the health needs of an ageing population,” Carter stated.
The study, titled “Frailty, oral health and nutrition in geriatrics inpatients: A cross‐sectional study”, was published online in Gerodontology on 12 March 2019 ahead of inclusion in an issue.
Tags:
FUKUOKA, Japan: According to new research from Japan, elderly people with poor oral health constantly ingest oral microbial populations that are more ...
CHICAGO, US/LONDON, UK: A new study presented during the 2018 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held recently has suggested that brushing ...
LONDON, UK: Though elite athletes generally possess an enviable level of physical fitness, a recent study has shown that their oral health may leave much to...
HELSINKI, Finland: Scientists have previously identified obesity and increasing age as risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Some scholars ...
ADELAIDE, Australia: A new systematic review has reported that children with protruding primary or early permanent teeth have an increased chance of ...
FORT MYERS, Fla., US: Although many college students recognise the impact that lifestyle choices have on oral health, minority students often have limited ...
GOTHENBURG, Sweden: Having children eat healthily can be a tricky task. However, having found an association between the prevalence of cariogenic bacteria ...
FARMINGTON, Conn., U.S.: Numerous studies have established that oral health can play a significant role in systemic health. A new review study has found ...
HELSINKI, Finland: The importance of good oral health from a young age is a message that still needs to reach many people. Recently, a Finnish 27-year ...
BELFAST, UK: It remains controversial whether poor oral health is independently linked to the development of gastro-intestinal cancers, because of potential...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 am EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 am EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 3 September 2024
11:00 am EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register