A healthy mouth goes beyond the absence of disease, but is also about its impact on the rest of the body.
A oral hygiene influences the nutritional status and general well-being of older adults, according to a new Japanese study, conducted by scientists at Okayama University. The researchers point out that a healthy mouth not only means it is free from disease, but also affects the physical and emotional health of older people.
According to the study, oral health plays an essential role in the type of food a person can eat. In addition to the association with nutritional status, the authors observed that, the worse the condition of the mouth, the lower the psychological well-being and also the quality of relationships.
“Poor oral health not only has implications for general health, but also for facial aesthetics, sociability, the supply of proteins and nutrients necessary to strengthen the body. And well-being is completely associated with these factors”, says dentist LetÃcia Bezinelli, coordinator of the dentistry degree course, responsible for the hospital dentistry service at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
The study authors carried out a comprehensive evaluation of 218 volunteers, all over the age of 60. In addition to data on nutritional status and medical history, patients completed a questionnaire on well-being, quality of life and social connections.
After, oral health has been thoroughly examined – and not only taking into account the absence of diseases. They studied characteristics such as the number of teeth, chewing force, pressure exerted by the tongue, bacterial load, chewing and swallowing ability, oral hydration and the ability to speak.
Lack of care throughout your life can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Both problems can cause tooth loss, which is especially debilitating in older adults.
Furthermore, with age, it is common to experience a reduction in saliva production, which causes dry mouth (xerostomia). According to Bezinelli, this compromises the protection of the teeth and oral mucosa, facilitating the multiplication of bacteria and the formation of cavities, inflammation and lesions.
Older people can also develop gum recession, which leaves the roots of the teeth exposed, as well as changes in taste, which affect quality of life and nutrition and can even cause oral cancer.
Good oral health and visit to the dentist
To minimize the risk of these problems appearing, it is necessary to maintain excellent oral hygiene, use moisturizing products for the mouth and lips and toothpastes, preferably without sodium lauryl sulphate, a component that can cause burning in elderly people. You also need to pay close attention to your hydration and maintain a healthy diet.
According to the dentist, the periodic visits to the dentist They are essential both to prevent diseases and avoid complications, and to identify conditions that could compromise chewing and swallowing.
When a person stops eating due to changes in taste, the support of a multidisciplinary team is needed, capable of evaluating the oral cavity, as well as providing nutritional and medical guidance for nutrient replacement.
Older adults are also very susceptible to opportunistic infections caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses, which can manifest as plaques, ulcers and abscesses. “Some dental problems can also lead to diseases such as pneumonia. There are patients with recurrent pneumonia who cannot be cured because they have not eliminated the pockets of infection in the mouth,” explains Bezinelli.
The impact of modern life
Some habits of modern life can cause premature aging of teeth. One of them is, for example, the abuse of soft drinks, which are rich in sugar and harmful chemicals.
Bruxism, closely associated with stress, causes tooth wear, fractures, cracks and even tooth loss. It can be treated with the use of plates, restorations and occlusion adjustments, as well as tension control.
The consumption of cigarettes – both conventional and electronic -, in addition to causing damage to health in general, increases the risk of gum inflammation and periodontal disease. All of this can cause the user to lose teeth at a young age and acquire an aged appearance.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
