A Cross-Sectional Study of Age-Related Changes in Oral Function in Healthy Japanese Individuals

Kiyomi Iyota, Shinsuke Mizutani, Saori Oku, Misa Asao, Toshiko Futatsuki, Ryosuke Inoue, Yuko Imai and Haruhiko Kashiwazaki
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Kiyomi Iyota: Section of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Shinsuke Mizutani: Section of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Saori Oku: Section of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Misa Asao: Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Toshiko Futatsuki: Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Ryosuke Inoue: Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Yuko Imai: Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Haruhiko Kashiwazaki: Section of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Oral function deterioration is related to a variety of factors, including aging, decline in activities of daily living, malnutrition, and cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study examined the effects of aging on oral function in healthy individuals. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 175 healthy, independent patients aged 40–89 years, without dementia and with ≥20 teeth, who visited a local dental clinic in Japan. Patients were compared with 92 university students aged 20–29 years. The seven criteria proposed by the Japanese Society of Gerodontology to diagnose “oral hypofunction” were observed and statistically analyzed. Results: Compared with those in the control group, the degree of tongue coating was increased in the group aged over 80 years, occlusal force was decreased in the group aged 70–79 years, tongue motor function was decreased in the groups aged 60–69 years and older, and tongue pressure was decreased in the groups aged 70–79 years and older. Conclusions: Healthy, independent individuals maintained several oral function criteria across aging, including oral mucosal wetness, occlusal force, lip motor function, masticatory function, and swallowing function. Tongue motor function and tongue pressure decreased with aging, indicating that these may be rehabilitation targets.

Keywords: cross-sectional study; oral function; independent elderly; aging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1376-:d:323156

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