Does the condition of the mouth and teeth affect the ability to eat certain foods, nutrient and dietary intake and nutritional status amongst older people?

Abstract

Objectives: To assess how the dental status of older people affected their stated ability to eat common foods, their nutrient intake and some nutrition-related blood analytes. Design: Cross-sectional survey part of nation-wide British National Diet and Nutrition Survey: people aged 65 years and older. Data from a questionnaire were linked to clinical data and data from four-day weighed dietary records. Two separate representative samples: a free-living and an institutional sample. Seven-hundredand-fifty-three free-living and 196 institution subjects had a dental exam and interview. Results: About one in five dentate (with natural teeth) free-living people had difficulty eating raw carrots, apples, well-done steak or nuts. Foods such as nuts, apples and raw carrots could not be eaten easily by over half edentate (without natural teeth but with dentures) people in institutions. In free-living, intakes of most nutrients and fruit and vegetables were significantly lower in edentate than dentate. Perceived chewing ability increased with increasing number of teeth. Daily intake of non-starch polysaccharides, protein, calcium, non-haem iron, niacin, vitamin C and intrinsic and milk sugars were significantly lower in edentate. Plasma ascorbate and retinol were significantly lower in the edentate than dentate. Plasma ascorbate was significantly related to the number of teeth and posterior contacting pairs of teeth. Conclusions: The presence, number and distribution of natural teeth are related to the ability to eat certain foods, affecting nutrient intakes and two biochemical measures of nutritional status.

Prevalence of partial edentulism among young Saudi women of Qassim and their perception of early tooth loss

“…It may also be a reflection of the success of various preventive, and treatment modalities put in place by the health care delivery system. Partial edentulism leads to several drawbacks to the subjects, including clinical challenges and lifestyle compromises (A. Sheiham and J. Steele, 2001) [2]. Clinically, long-term partial edentulism leads to various undesirable consequences like occlusal discrepancies, esthetic impairment, migration, spacing of surrounding teeth, supra eruption, loss of space, residual ridge resorption and temporomandibular disorders.…”

Changes in oro-facial function and hand-grip strength during a 2-year observation period after stroke

“…Tooth loss and the related loss of masticatory function may lead to a decreased intake of calories, protein, vitamins, and iron often resulting in mal-or undernutrition [14]. Thus impaired chewing and swallowing might contribute to the frequently observed weight loss [15] which seems to be linked to unfavorable functional outcome [16], or even mortality [17].…”

Testing of the Individual Nutrition Rx assessment process among nursing home residents

“…Of these, up to 85% suffer from malnutrition (Rowe & Kahn, 1998). The causes of malnutrition are multidimensional but may include dental caries, impaired chewing capacity, impaired ability to eat certain foods, and poor dental care/treatment (Isaksson, Soderfeldt, & Nederfors 2003;Wyatt, 2002;Nordenram, Ljunggren, & Cederholm, 2001;Sheiham & Steele, 2001;Sheiham, Steele, Marcenes, Finch, & Walls, 1999). The purpose of this article is to describe the Individual Nutrition Rx (INRx) assessment process and report preliminary findings on baseline nutritional status, common nutrition problems identified by the INRx protocol and specific individualized interventions.…”