Relationship between atherosclerosis and occlusal support of natural teeth with mediating effect of atheroprotective nutrients: From the SONIC study.

Whereas most of studies investigating relationship between oral health and atherosclerosis have focused on periodontitis, very few of them were examined about occlusal status of natural teeth which possibly influence dietary habit. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between the occlusal support of posterior teeth and the prevalence of atherosclerosis in community-dwelling septuagenarians. Also, the second aim was to test the hypothesis that the intake of key nutrients for atherosclerosis prevention would have a mediating effect on the relationship between the occlusal status and atherosclerosis. The study population included 468 community-dwelling dentate persons aged 69-71 years recruited from the local residential registration in Japan. Participants were divided into three groups, according to the number of occlusal support zones (OSZ) in the posterior area: Complete (four OSZ), Moderate (three or two OSZ), and Collapsed (one or no OSZ). Dietary intakes were assessed using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Atherosclerosis was defined as carotid intima-media thickness ≧1.10 mm by using carotid ultrasonography test. The logistic or linear regression model was used in multivariate analysis to assess relationship between occlusal status and atherosclerosis, and the mediating effect of key nutrients within the relationship. Multivariable analysis showed a significant association between occlusal status and atherosclerosis (odds ratio for Collapsed group to Complete group: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.45-2.41), independent of periodontal status (odds ratio: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.46-2.78). Fish and shellfish, vitamin B6 and n-3PUFAs were significantly related to both of occlusal status and atherosclerosis, and also was indicated a mediating effect on the association between occlusal status and atherosclerosis. This study implied that, within the limitation of the cross-sectional study design, the reduced posterior occlusion was related to the increased prevalence of atherosclerosis via the decline of key dietary intakes among Japanese community-dwelling dentate individuals.

Influence of xerostomia on oral health-related quality of life in the elderly: a 5-year longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Xerostomia and tooth loss are major oral health problems in the elderly. The aim of this longitudinal study was to characterize the influence of xerostomia on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly Japanese people. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 99 community-dwelling, independently living individuals aged 60 years and older were interviewed and underwent dental examination at baseline and at a 5-year follow-up. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and the Xerostomia Inventory were used to assess OHRQoL and xerostomia severity, respectively. RESULTS: Participants whose xerostomia worsened over the 5-year period had a significantly poorer follow-up OHRQoL. Linear regression models showed that tooth loss and worsening xerostomia were significant predictors of poorer follow-up OHRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss and worsening xerostomia result in poorer OHRQoL among older Japanese people.

[Masticatory performance and prostheses in subjects with shortened dental arches].

Reports supporting the shortened dental arch concepts showed that the SDAs were stable in occlusion and TMJ for several years, and that effects of partial dentures on distal extension edentulous patients were unclear. However some studies are difficult to understand their conclusions after careful reviewing. Our data of 921 subjects demonstrated the prevalence of SDA, percentage of denture wearers in distal extension missing patients, and comparisons of occlusal force and masticatory performance between denture wearers and non-wearers (SDAs). To clarify the effect of prostheses, longitudinal studies or randomized controlled trials on oral function must be needed in further investigation.

Relationship between bite force and salivary flow in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between bite force and stimulated salivary flow rate in older adults. STUDY DESIGN: The study sample consisted of 934 independent-living, cognitively healthy Japanese older adults 60 to 84 years of age. The maximal bite force was measured with pressure-sensitive sheets, and stimulated whole saliva was collected using the mastication method. RESULTS: The mean stimulated salivary flow rate was 1.36 +/- 0.97 mL/min. In bivariate analysis, the stimulated salivary flow rate was significantly lower in females and subjects with daily multiple medications (P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was significantly associated with sex (standardized partial regression coefficient: partial beta = .22; P < .001), bite force (partial beta = .18; P < .001), and multiple daily medications (partial beta = -.12; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that reduced bite force is associated with a decline in stimulated whole salivary flow rate independent of sex and medication in older adults.