Poor Oral Health as a Determinant of Malnutrition and Sarcopenia

Abstract

Aging is accompanied by profound changes in many physiological functions, leading to a decreased ability to cope with stressors. Many changes are subtle, but can negatively affect nutrient intake, leading to overt malnutrition. Poor oral health may affect food selection and nutrient intake, leading to malnutrition and, consequently, to frailty and sarcopenia. On the other hand, it has been highlighted that sarcopenia is a whole-body process also affecting muscles dedicated to chewing and swallowing. Hence, muscle decline of these muscle groups may also have a negative impact on nutrient intake, increasing the risk for malnutrition. The interplay between oral diseases and malnutrition with frailty and sarcopenia may be explained through biological and environmental factors that are linked to the common burden of inflammation and oxidative stress. The presence of oral problems, alone or in combination with sarcopenia, may thus represent the biological substratum of the disabling cascade experienced by many frail individuals. A multimodal and multidisciplinary approach, including personalized dietary counselling and oral health care, may thus be helpful to better manage the complexity of older people. Furthermore, preventive strategies applied throughout the lifetime could help to preserve both oral and muscle function later in life. Here, we provide an overview on the relevance of poor oral health as a determinant of malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions and Related Risk Factors in Adult Patients: A Cohort Study

“…Some of the most useful variables are common wealth, nationality, the belonging to an ethnic group, age and employment. General health status, systemic disease [11], such as metabolic syndromes, syndromic diseases [11][12][13] causing dental abnormalities and immune dysfunction issues can lead to severe complications and poor oral conditions [14]. Within a population, there are significant differences between groups of different ages and employment.…”

The Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine and Air Polishing System in the Treatment of Candida albicans Infected Dental Implants: An Experimental In Vitro Study

“…In modern dentistry, the use of titanium implants to restore edentulous areas of various extension is a very common practice [1][2][3], followed by a great percentage of long-term success [4]. Systemic or syndromic diseases [5,6] and immune disorders [7] should be evaluated before the implant placement in order to avoid post-operative bleeding-related complications [8,9] and to achieve better outcomes. An accurate exam of the bone crest, in terms of width and height, is also important for proper planning of the implant [10][11][12][13][14].…”

Clinical Implications of Oral Assessment in Elderly Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Single-center, Retrospective Study

“…Oral health problems have been reported as common health conditions in older adults and hospitalized patients [17] [18] [27] [28]. Several points are known about the relationship between oral health problems and heart failure.…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that poor oral health is associated with periodontal disease, dental caries, hyposalivation, and tooth loss or edentulousness, which pose risks of chewing di culties, decreased masticatory function, and dysphagia [35] [36]. These oral problems may induce a preference for soft and easily chewable food and a need for changes in food texture to prevent aspiration and choking, leading to poor nutritional intake and undernutrition, and nally to sarcopenia, frailty, and decreased physical function [17] [37] [38].…”