Effects of lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase-containing food on the oral hygiene status of older individuals: A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: Lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase have antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel group study tested the efficacy of a lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase-containing tablet (LF + LPO tablet) in improving the oral hygiene status of older individuals. METHODS: A total of 46 participants (31 nursing home residents and 15 healthy older individuals) were randomly assigned to receive either lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase-containing tablets or placebo tablets, and were asked to suck on a tablet after every meal for 8 weeks. Oral and bacteriological assessments were carried out at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 47 participants (test group n = 20; mean age 80.4 ± 6.4 years; placebo group n = 17; mean age 85.9 ± 6.7 years) were included in the efficacy analysis. In the test group, the total number of bacteria in the tongue coating was significantly reduced at 4 and 8 weeks compared with that at baseline, and the number of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum was significantly reduced at 8 weeks. The total number of bacteria and the number of P. gingivalis in the supragingival plaque were significantly reduced at 8 weeks. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the change in the number of P. gingivalis in supragingival plaque at 8 weeks between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase-containing tablet ingestion showed antibacterial effects on periodontal bacteria present in the tongue coating and supragingival plaque, indicating that long-term ingestion could improve the oral hygiene of older individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 714-721.

Effects of gum chewing exercises on saliva secretion and occlusal force in community-dwelling elderly individuals: A pilot study.

AIM: Elderly individuals face the risk of reductions in saliva secretion and occlusal force caused by systemic diseases or medications that can eventually result in malnutrition and systemic complications. We tested the hypothesis that regular gum chewing exercises (GCE) would enhance saliva secretion and occlusal force in an elderly population. METHODS: A total of 12 community-dwelling elderly individuals (3 men and 9 women) participated in this study after providing informed consent. Participants carried out GCE regimens using a soft gum (GCE-S) or hard gum (GCE-H) for 2 weeks each, with a 2-week rest period between trials. Mucosal moisture on the tongue surface, resting saliva, and occlusal force were measured before and after each test gum, and changes in parameters at relevant time-points were statistically analyzed. Differences in each measurement item were assessed using the Friedman test for before and after the GCE. We used the Holm's correction for multiple comparisons if the Friedman test results were significant. The critical value for rejecting the null hypothesis was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Resting saliva secretion significantly increased after GCE-S, returned to baseline levels during the rest period and significantly increased again after GCE-H. Mucosal moisture and occlusal force followed a similar trend, with a significant rise after GCE-H. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that GCE can increase resting saliva secretion and occlusal force in elderly individuals. Further investigations are required on the appropriate use of soft and hard gums to address oral frailty in elderly individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 48-53.