2024-02-02 06:01:10

Dental problems can limit food choices and affect nutrition, as well as the relationship with a person’s social and individual environment.

A group of researchers from Okayama University Hospital (Japan) have discovered that oral health plays a significant role in the subjective well-being of older adults, directly affecting the individual’s nutritional status and environment.

To reach these conclusions, published in ‘PLOS ONE’, the team carried out a detailed analysis of the oral conditions of older adults who attend a dental clinic at Okayama University Hospital. They evaluated aspects such as the bacterial load on the coating of the tongue, chewing capacity, swallowing, among others.

The study examined the relationship between these measurements and psychological well-being self-reported by participants. Additionally, nutritional status was measured and environmental characteristics, such as social relationships, habits, and medical history, were considered.

Noriko Takeuchi, from the Department of Preventive Dentistry at Okayama University Hospital, who led the research, explained: “Scientific evidence of the relationship between oral health and psychological well-being is limited. To overcome the limitations of previous studies and as a step toward health promotion, we evaluated the association between individual and environmental characteristics, oral status, and nutritional status in relation to subjective well-being among older adults.”

The results highlighted the direct connection between oral health, nutritional status and subjective well-being of older people. Oral health influences a person’s ability to consume different foods, thus affecting their nutritional status and, therefore, their psychological well-being. “Maintaining good oral health can contribute to improving nutritional status, which in turn can have a positive impact on subjective psychological well-being,” Takeuchi said.

Interaction between oral health and social environment

The study also provided evidence of a bidirectional connection between oral health and a person’s social and individual environment. Poor oral health was associated with harmful habits, such as smoking and consumption of sweets, which increases the risk of dental diseases. Additionally, a connection was identified between a person’s environmental characteristics and their nutritional status.

In a context of rapid aging of the population, geriatric care is acquiring greater relevance. This study provides crucial data on how oral health influences long-term mental health, suggesting that investing in oral health may have incremental health benefits, especially in old age.

“Our cross-sectional study has some limitations; However, the results highlight that good oral health can improve long-term subjective psychological well-being,” concluded Takeuchi.

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