DT News - UK - Musculoskeletal frailty: Number of teeth and dentures matter

Dental Tribune UK

Mon. 8 January 2018

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LONDON, UK: The occurrence of fractures at an older age may depend on the number of teeth the person has left. A study conducted by King’s College London Dental Institute on elderly Americans has recently suggested that people over 50 with less than 20 teeth are at the highest risk of developing musculoskeletal frailty.

Participants in the study with more than 20 teeth were significantly less likely to be frail. They were also found to consume a significantly larger amount of nutrients compared to the group with less than 20 teeth, which the researchers explained is due to their inability to chew and consume certain foods.

Of those with less than 20 teeth, however, the participants wearing dentures were scoring higher in terms of nutritional intake, suggesting that such a mouthpiece can actually help lower the risk of frailty.

The study, which was conducted as part of larger health examinations among 9,000 Americans over the ages of 50, used a combination of interviews on nutritional intake as well as clinical examinations that included, among others, oral health assessments and handgrip strength tests. According to lead researcher Dr Wael Sabbah, the study not only highlights the significant relationship between oral health and the deficiency of the intake of essential nutrients, but also the importance of older adults to maintain functional dentition throughout their life.

“To date, the majority of efforts to improve frailty have focused on nutrition strategies, including health education, while the influence of teeth on dietary restraint of the elderly has been neglected,” he said. “The findings of this analysis, along with that reported in earlier research, suggest that the use of dentures could be a neglected intervention that could potentially have a preventative impact on musculoskeletal frailty.”

The study “Association between number of teeth, use of dentures and musculoskeletal frailty among older adults” was published online on 7 December in the Geriatrics & Gerontology International journal.

One thought on “Musculoskeletal frailty: Number of teeth and dentures matter”

David Zimmerman says:

March 2, 2018 at 12:48 am

These are just the tip of the dental role in this health iceberg. With a constant dietary change (sugar smoking and alcohol and arguably sleep fragmentation in the past 200 years there is solid evidence that via HOX genes the growth pattern of the mid-face has been most affected. This leads to both a mismatch between Maxilla and mandible – impacting TMJ and also reduction in size of the naso-maxillae. The spinoff is more non-nasal breathing and via a complex of mechanisms including intermittent hypoxia and induction of Hypoxia- Induced Factors – systemic inflammation. Thus dental role should include co-management of facial growth. Bonuck showed – based on the decade-long Avon River study that the adverse changes are seen with 6 month-old babies who mouth-breathe – hold their breath and snore – Those who still do this at 4 yo all (100%) go on to develop irreversible learning and socialising difficulties. Sleep interruption drives both bruxing, morning headaches and reflux. This trio (of Rouse) is probably responsible for more decay and erosion than recognised. So tooth loss and bite changes are just the between the eyes clue for everyday dentists… check the patient’s medications and ask what is the oral connection –

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