ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With the ageing process changes in the musculature of oro-facial structures take place, consequently there is a reduction in the strength and mobility of the lips, tongue and cheeks. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate oro-facial structures and chewing and swallowing functions among a group of senior citizens and young adults and check the influence of lip and tongue pressure of these functions. METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study. Thirty seniors with an average age of 67.13 years and 30 young adults with an average age of 22.03 years participated in the study. The Oro-facial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol with Scores for the Elderly and the Oro-facial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol with Expanded Scores were also used. The evaluation of the force of pressure of the lips and tip and dorsum of the tongue was carried out using the Biofeedback device Pró-Fono: Lip and Tongue Pressure. RESULTS: Young adults had a higher evaluation score for the aspect/posture of the face, cheeks, lips, mentalis muscle, tongue, mobility of lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks, chewing and swallowing functions, total time and chewing strokes, and tip pressure and dorsum of tongue. According to the Structural Equation Modelling, a direct relationship was found between the tongue dorsum pressure force and the swallowing function. CONCLUSION: With healthy ageing changes occurring in the appearance, posture and mobility of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks, with the seniors and reduced performance of chewing and swallowing functions.
Subject(s)
Lip , Tongue , Young Adult , Humans , Aged , Adult , Tongue/physiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pressure , Deglutition/physiology , Mastication/physiologyABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Purpose To characterize the masticatory function of the elderly and to compare total amount of time, masticatory strokes and total mastication score among the elderly and young adults. Methods It is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study. A total of 50 individuals participated, 25 elderly (mean age 66 years) and 25 young adults (mean age 22 years). The evaluation of mastication was performed by standardized filming of the usual mastication of a wheat flour biscuit. The masticatory type (alternated bilateral, simultaneous bilateral, preferential unilateral, chronic and anterior), masticatory score, total masticatory time and the total number of masticatory strokes were verified and compared between the elderly and young adults. Results The predominant masticatory pattern in the young adults was the alternated bilateral mastication (52%), while, in the elderly, the simultaneous bilateral mastication predominated (48%). The use of dental prostheses had a significant influence on the total mastication score; elderly presented greater masticatory time and greater amount of masticatory strokes; however, the total masticatory score was lower for this group. Conclusion The use of dental prosthesis has a significant influence on masticatory function. When compared to young adults, the elderly had a greater amount of time and masticatory strokes and a lower total mastication score.
RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar a função mastigatória de idosos e comparar o total de tempo e golpes mastigatórios e o escore mastigatório total entre idosos e adultos jovens. Método Trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal e analítico. Um total de 50 indivíduos participaram do estudo, 25 idosos (idade média de 66 anos) e 25 adultos jovens (idade média de 22 anos). A avaliação da função mastigatória foi realizada por meio da filmagem padronizada da mastigação habitual de um biscoito maisena. O tipo mastigatório (bilateral alternado, bilateral simultâneo, unilateral preferencial, crônica e anterior), o escore mastigatório, o total do tempo mastigatório e o número total de golpes mastigatórios foram verificados e comparados entre os idosos e os adultos jovens. Resultados O padrão mastigatório predominante nos adultos jovens foi a mastigação bilateral alternada (52%), enquanto que nos idosos predominou a mastigação bilateral simultânea (48%). O uso de prótese dentária apresentou influência significativa no escore total da mastigação; os idosos apresentaram maior tempo mastigatório e maior quantidade de golpes mastigatórios; contudo, o escore total da mastigação foi menor para este grupo. Conclusão O uso de prótese dentária apresenta influência significativa na função mastigatória. Quando comparados aos jovens, idosos apresentam maior quantidade de tempo e golpes mastigatórios e menor escore total da mastigação.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To characterize the masticatory function of the elderly and to compare total amount of time, masticatory strokes and total mastication score among the elderly and young adults. METHODS: It is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study. A total of 50 individuals participated, 25 elderly (mean age 66 years) and 25 young adults (mean age 22 years). The evaluation of mastication was performed by standardized filming of the usual mastication of a wheat flour biscuit. The masticatory type (alternated bilateral, simultaneous bilateral, preferential unilateral, chronic and anterior), masticatory score, total masticatory time and the total number of masticatory strokes were verified and compared between the elderly and young adults. RESULTS: The predominant masticatory pattern in the young adults was the alternated bilateral mastication (52%), while, in the elderly, the simultaneous bilateral mastication predominated (48%). The use of dental prostheses had a significant influence on the total mastication score; elderly presented greater masticatory time and greater amount of masticatory strokes; however, the total masticatory score was lower for this group. CONCLUSION: The use of dental prosthesis has a significant influence on masticatory function. When compared to young adults, the elderly had a greater amount of time and masticatory strokes and a lower total mastication score.
