does oral health have an association with frailty?

Introduction

The relationship between oral health and frailty in older adults has garnered significant attention due to the potential implications for overall health and quality of life. Frailty, a condition characterized by decreased strength, endurance, and physiological function, increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. This synthesis examines the association between oral health and frailty based on findings from multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Number of Teeth and Frailty:
- Fewer remaining teeth are frequently associated with increased frailty .
Chewing Difficulty and Frailty:
- Chewing difficulties are significantly linked to higher frailty risk .
Oral Pain and Frailty:
- Self-reported oral pain is associated with higher odds of being frail .
Periodontal Disease and Frailty:
- The association between periodontal disease and frailty is inconsistent, with some studies showing a link and others not .
Oral Health Status and Frailty:
- Poor overall oral health, including conditions like dental caries, xerostomia, and the need for dental prostheses, is associated with an increased risk of developing frailty .
Oral Health and Nutritional Pathways:
- Poor oral health can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which in turn contribute to frailty .
Dental Service Utilization and Frailty:
- Lack of dental service utilization is associated with higher frailty, indicating that regular dental care may mitigate some frailty risks .

Conclusion

The evidence strongly suggests that poor oral health is associated with increased frailty in older adults. Key factors include the number of remaining teeth, chewing difficulties, and overall oral health status. Addressing oral health issues through regular dental care and interventions may help reduce the risk of frailty and improve the quality of life for older adults. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and the role of nutrition in this relationship.

Does oral health have an association with frailty?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Association between oral health and frailty: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.

Poor oral health is a significant predictor of frailty in older age, with periodontal disease showing inconsistent associations.

Association Between Oral Health and Frailty in Older Korean Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Chewing difficulty is significantly associated with frailty in older adults, emphasizing the need for improved oral health in older adults.

Oral frailty and its determinants in older age: a systematic review.

Poor oral health in older adults, particularly few remaining teeth, is frequently associated with frailty, with reduced oral motor skills and chewing, swallowing, and saliva disorders also contributing.

Oral health and the frailty syndrome.

Frailty syndrome in older adults can influence oral health and increase the risk of oral neglect, highlighting the need for improved oral health care in this vulnerable population.

Relationship between oral health and Fried’s frailty criteria in community-dwelling older persons

Poor oral health, including oral pain and chewing impairment, is significantly linked to frailty and its components, not only through involuntary weight loss.

Frailty and oral health: Findings from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project.

Frailty in older men is independently associated with dental caries, but not with dental service utilization or self-rated oral health.

Oral health condition and development of frailty over a 12-month period in community‐dwelling older adults

Older adults with edentulism and poor oral health have an increased risk of developing frailty over a 12-month period.

Exploring Associations Between Oral Health and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People

A dental emergency visit and self-reported oral health problems are associated with frailty in community-dwelling older people, regardless of the measurement approach used.

Oral health conditions and frailty in Mexican community-dwelling elderly: a cross sectional analysis

Poor oral health and insufficient dental service utilization are associated with a higher probability of frailty in Mexican elderly individuals.

Oral Health and Undernutrition in the Frail Elderly Persons

Poor oral health is significantly associated with nutritional disorders and frailty in frail elderly individuals, emphasizing the need for targeted oral health screening and referrals.

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