The Impact of Oral Health on Taste Ability in Acutely Hospitalized Elderly

Objective: To investigate to what extent various oral health variables are associated with taste ability in acutely hospitalized elderly. Background: Impaired taste may contribute to weight loss in elderly. Many frail elderly have poor oral health characterized by caries, poor oral hygiene, and dry mouth. However, the possible influence of such factors on taste ability in acutely hospitalized elderly has not been investigated. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional. A total of 174 (55 men) acutely hospitalized elderly, coming from their own homes and with adequate cognitive function, were included. Dental status, decayed teeth, oral bacteria, oral hygiene, dry mouth and tongue changes were recorded. Growth of oral bacteria was assessed with CRTH Bacteria Kit. Taste ability was evaluated with 16 taste strips impregnated with sweet, sour, salty and bitter taste solutions in 4 concentrations each. Correct identification was given score 1, and maximum total taste score was 16. Results: Mean age was 84 yrs. (range 70–103 yrs.). Total taste score was significantly and markedly reduced in patients with decayed teeth, poor oral hygiene, high growth of oral bacteria and dry mouth. Sweet and salty taste were particularly impaired in patients with dry mouth. Sour taste was impaired in patients with high growth of oral bacteria. Conclusion: This study shows that taste ability was reduced in acutely hospitalized elderly with caries activity, high growt

Masticatory function in patients with an extremely resorbed mandible restored with mandibular implant-retained overdentures: comparison of three types of treatment protocols

The objective of the present study was to analyse the effects of implant supported overdentures on masticatory function in patients with an extremely resorbed mandible, and to compare the masticatory function in these patients using three differing types of implant treatment protocols. The mandibular overdentures were retained by a transmandibular implant, by four endosseous implants following augmentation of the mandible, and by four short endosseous implants, respectively. Sixty patients (50 women, 10 men, mean age 59Æ4 years) were randomly allocated to one of the three treatment groups. Masticatory function was assessed before and after treatment using a questionnaire, a masticatory performance test, and a structured interview. The patient-based masticatory function improved significantly. Concerning these parameters there were no significant differences between the three groups before and after treatment. A significant difference existed between the three groups for the laboratory-assessed masticatory function before treatment, but after treatment this difference was no longer significant. From this study it can be concluded that patients with an extremely resorbed mandible and functional complaints of their lower denture report significant improvement in masticatory function after implant-overdenture treatment. Differences in masticatory function between the three studied modalities were not significant after treatment