Reference
Watanabe Y, Okada K, Kondo M, Matsushita T, Nakazawa S, Yamazaki Y. Oral health for achieving longevity. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2020 Jun;20(6):526-538. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13921. Epub 2020 Apr 19. PMID: 32307825
At a glance
Fragility of the oral cavity (Oral Frailty) is a condition of poor oral function, often accompanied by mental and physical decline. It is frequently associated with conditions such as: physical frailty, sarcopenia, severe conditions requiring nursing care and, ultimately, death (Watanabe, et al., 2020).
What is already known
“Oral frailty” is a new concept, introduced in Japan in 2013, that relates to oral function. The Japan Dental Association defines it as a series of phenomena and processes that lead to changes in various oral conditions (number of teeth, oral hygiene, oral functions etc.) associated with aging, and accompanied by decreased interest in oral health, reduced physical and mental reserve capacity, and an increase in poor oral health leading to eating dysfunction (Tanaka, et al., 2018).
Characteristics of the study
This narrative review highlights major studies regarding the relationship between the number of teeth, dentures, and occlusion and health and longevity. It also discusses notable recent research studies that evaluate the relationship between oral function and aging.
Main results
Number of teeth and longevity. Eleven studies related to this correlation were reviewed. Pooling the categories for the number of remaining teeth and carrying out an overall assessment, tooth loss was shown to markedly increase the mortality risk. That said, the underlying mechanism remains unclear as it must be considered that observed associations are not totally independent of confounding factors.Nonetheless, there is a probable correlation between the number of the teeth and quality of diet, as well as the subject’s nutritional state. Dentures, occlusion and longevity Dentures and occlusion have significant relationships with multiple outcomes, including:
- nutrition-related indices: low bodyweight, high bodyweight/obesity, nutritional status, nutrient intake, food intake;
- general health conditions, including indices of physical function, such as falls, frailty, sarcopenia, nursing care requirement, muscular strength, walking speed, and activities of daily life;
- dementia and indices relating to cognitive function.
Ten studies analyzed these aspects. Oral function and longevity The oral cavity has various functions, including mastication, food intake and swallowing, articulation, and vocalization, breathing, salivation, and taste. Regarding the possible correlation between oral function and longevity, the authors found 9 studies, which were mainly based on self-completed questionnaires and assessment of edible food. Certainly, a good chewing function allows individuals to live healthier and longer, with a lower mortality risk, even if the evaluation of masticatory function is often based on subjective evaluation.
Limitations
Future reviews should incorporate more systematic studies to provide additional insights and a comprehensive assessment, including both subjective and objective evaluations of oral function. Considerable attention should be given to these findings because they are likely to have a major impact on future research regarding oral health.
What’s new?
This is certainly an innovative review, focusing on an issue that has not yet been systematically investigated.
It highlights the clear relationship between oral health and longevity, as well as dental health status indicators that could be improved through dental care. Decreased oral function is an important risk factor for malnutrition and sarcopenia. Oral frailty, a new concept that was recently introduced in Japan, is expected to have a major impact on dental and oral health policies in the future, considering the super-aging society that is developing in Japan and worldwide (Miura & Tano, 2019) (WHO, 2018).
Edited by Chiara Gallione
Bibliography
Iezzi, I., Pagella, P., Mattioli-Belmonte, M., & Mitsiadis, T. (2019). The effects of ageing on dental pulp stem cells, the tooth longevity elixir. Retrieved May 25, 2021, from eCMJounrals. Miura, H., & Tano, R. (2019). Recent measures in geriatric oral health care in Japan. J Natl Inst Public Health, 68, 8-16. Watanabe, Y., Okada, K., Kondo, M., Matsushita, T., Nakazawa, S., & Yamazaki, Y. (2020, Jun.). Oral health for achieving longevity. Geriatr Gerontol Int., 20(6), 526-538. doi:doi: 10.1111/ggi.13921 WHO. (2018, Feb. 5). Ageing and health. Retrieved May 2021, from World Health Organization
