Keiichiro Sagawa1, Hiroyasu Furuya1, Yuki Ohara2, Mitsuyoshi Yoshida3, Hirohiko Hirano4, Katsuya Iijima5, Takeshi Kikutani6. 1. The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation, Tokyo, Japan. 2. Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department of Oral Health Care Education, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Hiroshima, Japan. 4. Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo, Japan. 5. The University of Tokyo, Institute of Gerontology (IOG), Tokyo, Japan. 6. The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation, Tokyo, Japan; The Nippon Dental University, Tama Oral Rehabilitation Clinic, Division of Rehabilitation for Speech and Swallowing Disorders, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: kikutani@tokyo.ndu.ac.jp.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the influences of oral motor function such as tongue function and bite force on masticatory performance in the elderly. METHODS: We randomly selected 245 subjects who has 28 natural teeth among community-dwelling elderly. We evaluated masticatory performance using a gummy jelly, and also measured bite force, tongue muscle force, and the speed of tongue movement. RESULTS: We found that reduced masticatory performance to be associated with decreased the speed of tongue movement and/or tongue muscle force, indicating that reduced oral motor function also influences masticatory performance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that keeping oral motor function, as well as maintenance of occlusal support, to be important for maintaining masticatory function in the elderly.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the influences of oral motor function such as tongue function and bite force on masticatory performance in the elderly. METHODS: We randomly selected 245 subjects who has 28 natural teeth among community-dwelling elderly. We evaluated masticatory performance using a gummy jelly, and also measured bite force, tongue muscle force, and the speed of tongue movement. RESULTS: We found that reduced masticatory performance to be associated with decreased the speed of tongue movement and/or tongue muscle force, indicating that reduced oral motor function also influences masticatory performance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that keeping oral motor function, as well as maintenance of occlusal support, to be important for maintaining masticatory function in the elderly.
Authors: Seonhui Kim; Re-Mee Doh; Leegang Yoo; Sol-Ah Jeong; Bock-Young Jung Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-27 Impact factor: 3.390