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

Advances in the behavioural and public health aspects of periodontitis: Group D Consensus report of the fifth European workshop in periodontology

The Fifth European Workshop on Periodontology: Etiology and Pathogenesis Leading to Preventive Concepts. Charterhouse at Ittingen, Thurgau, Switzerland, 5-9 February 2005. In Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 200

Estrogen regulates DNA synthesis in human gingival epithelial cells displaying strong estrogen receptor β immunoreactivity.

Nebel D, Bratthall G, Ekblad E, Norderyd O, Nilsson B-O. Estrogen regulates DNA synthesis in human gingival epithelial cells displaying strong estrogen receptor β immunoreactivity. J Periodont Res 2011; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2011.01382.x. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Estrogen acts via estrogen receptor (ER) α and β. The expression pattern of ERs and their importance in gingival tissues are not fully understood. In this study, we investigate gingival ER expression and effects of estrogen on gingival epithelial cell proliferation. Material and Methods: Gingival biopsies were obtained from both healthy and diseased sites in three male and three female subjects. Expression of ERα and β was determined by immunohistochemistry. Effects of 17β-estradiol (E(2) ) on cell proliferation, monitored by measuring DNA synthesis, were studied in cultured human gingival epithelial HGEPp.05 cells. Results: Estrogen receptor β, but not ERα, immunoreactivity was demonstrated in nuclei of epithelial cells in all layers of the gingival epithelium, but also in cells of the lamina propria. No differences were observed between male and female subjects. The same pattern, i.e. high ERβ expression but no ERα expression, was observed in both healthy and diseased sites within each individual. No differences in the intensity of the ERβ immunoreactive signal and the number of ERβ-positive nuclei were observed between healthy and diseased gingiva. Treatment with a physiological concentration of E(2) (10 nm) had no effect on DNA synthesis in ERβ- and ERα-expressing HGEPp.05 cells. In contrast, E(2) at high concentrations (500 nm and 10 μm) reduced DNA synthesis by 60-70%. Conclusion: Human gingival epithelial cells display strong ERβ but low ERα immunoreactivity both in vivo and in culture. Estrogen attenuates gingival epithelial cell DNA synthesis at high but not low concentrations, suggesting a concentration-dependent mechanism

Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors among older people in short-term care

Objectives It is well known that oral health status is associated with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the general population. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse OHRQoL among older people in short‐term care and its associated factors. Materials and Methods This cross‐sectional study included 391 older people in 36 short‐term care units. Data were collected via clinical oral assessments, questions about self‐perceived oral and general health, Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz‐ADL) and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied in the analysis. Results Poor OHRQoL was reported by 34% of the older people. Associated factors were swallowing problems according to ROAG; quite poor/poor self‐perceived physical, psychological and oral health; and being a woman. Conclusions There is an association between OHRQoL and older people's self‐perceived health according to the OHIP‐14. This indicates the importance of early detection of oral health problems in frail older people and to assess both oral health and swallowing problems among older people in short‐term care