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January 19, 2023
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Good oral health keeps the body stronger for longer
Current research on older adults suggests a possible link between oral and physical health, such as muscle strength, where poor oral health leads to adverse changes in musculoskeletal health.
Poor physical capability is an essential feature of unhealthy aging that negatively affects the quality of life and increases mortality risk. Current research on older adults suggests a possible link between oral and physical health, such as muscle strength, where poor oral health leads to adverse changes in musculoskeletal health over time. Elders with oral health problems are more likely to have limited physical function than those with good oral health. Unfortunately, evidence linking oral and musculoskeletal health comes mainly from cross-sectional analyses and only a few longitudinal studies. A new article published in Lancet Healthy Longevity sheds some new light on this issue.
The decline in physical function is a common feature of older age. It often results in decreased autonomy of mobility and reduced cognitive abilities, leading to loss of independence. The physical decline can be assessed by simple muscle strength tests such as grip strength and physical performance tests, e.g., walking speed and chair stand speed. Physical activity decline costs the healthcare system an estimated £2.5 billion in the UK and $18.5 billion in the USA annually.
Oral health is complex and includes mouth, teeth, and gum (gingiva) issues, such as tooth loss and periodontal disease, dry mouth (xerostomia), difficulty chewing, and other oral diseases. Poor oral health, prevalent in older adults, impacts chewing and, thus, diet quality. It is often connected with chronic inflammation and conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can disrupt physical function.
The international research team of R.Kimble et al. conducted an extensive prospective analysis of two cohorts of adults aged 70 years or older. The study followed 612 men from the British Regional Heart Study and 1572 participants of both genders from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study for about eight years. The research concluded that loss of all teeth and difficulty eating were connected with weaker grip strength and slower gait speed. In both groups, xerostomia was paired with a decline in physical function. In the British Regional Heart Study group, tooth loss was associated with eating difficulties and decreased chair stand speed. A drop in physical function linked to poor oral health in older adults could indicate which individuals are at risk of declining physical capacity and subsequent frailty and disability later in life.
The results of this article suggest that oral health problems could be important indicators of deterioration in muscle strength and performance in later life. Good oral care in older adults could help preserve their physical function and, consequently, their independence and quality of life. Still, extensive research is needed to understand the relationship between oral and musculoskeletal health.
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Poor physical capability is an essential feature of unhealthy aging that negatively affects the quality of life and increases mortality risk. Current research on older adults suggests a possible link between oral and physical health, such as muscle strength, where poor oral health leads to adverse changes in musculoskeletal health over time. Elders with oral health problems are more likely to have limited physical function than those with good oral health. Unfortunately, evidence linking oral and musculoskeletal health comes mainly from cross-sectional analyses and only a few longitudinal studies. A new article published in Lancet Healthy Longevity sheds some new light on this issue.
The decline in physical function is a common feature of older age. It often results in decreased autonomy of mobility and reduced cognitive abilities, leading to loss of independence. The physical decline can be assessed by simple muscle strength tests such as grip strength and physical performance tests, e.g., walking speed and chair stand speed. Physical activity decline costs the healthcare system an estimated £2.5 billion in the UK and $18.5 billion in the USA annually.
Oral health is complex and includes mouth, teeth, and gum (gingiva) issues, such as tooth loss and periodontal disease, dry mouth (xerostomia), difficulty chewing, and other oral diseases. Poor oral health, prevalent in older adults, impacts chewing and, thus, diet quality. It is often connected with chronic inflammation and conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can disrupt physical function.
The international research team of R.Kimble et al. conducted an extensive prospective analysis of two cohorts of adults aged 70 years or older. The study followed 612 men from the British Regional Heart Study and 1572 participants of both genders from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study for about eight years. The research concluded that loss of all teeth and difficulty eating were connected with weaker grip strength and slower gait speed. In both groups, xerostomia was paired with a decline in physical function. In the British Regional Heart Study group, tooth loss was associated with eating difficulties and decreased chair stand speed. A drop in physical function linked to poor oral health in older adults could indicate which individuals are at risk of declining physical capacity and subsequent frailty and disability later in life.
The results of this article suggest that oral health problems could be important indicators of deterioration in muscle strength and performance in later life. Good oral care in older adults could help preserve their physical function and, consequently, their independence and quality of life. Still, extensive research is needed to understand the relationship between oral and musculoskeletal health.
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Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant
Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.
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