Relationship between atherosclerosis and occlusal support of natural teeth with mediating effect of atheroprotective nutrients: From the SONIC study.

Whereas most of studies investigating relationship between oral health and atherosclerosis have focused on periodontitis, very few of them were examined about occlusal status of natural teeth which possibly influence dietary habit. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between the occlusal support of posterior teeth and the prevalence of atherosclerosis in community-dwelling septuagenarians. Also, the second aim was to test the hypothesis that the intake of key nutrients for atherosclerosis prevention would have a mediating effect on the relationship between the occlusal status and atherosclerosis.

Influence of xerostomia on oral health-related quality of life in the elderly: a 5-year longitudinal study.

Objective: Xerostomia and tooth loss are major oral health problems in the elderly. The aim of this longitudinal study was to characterize the influence of xerostomia on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly Japanese people.

Study Design: A total of 99 community-dwelling, independently living individuals aged 60 years and older were interviewed and underwent dental examination at baseline and at a 5-year follow-up.

[Masticatory performance and prostheses in subjects with shortened dental arches].

Reports supporting the shortened dental arch concepts showed that the SDAs were stable in occlusion and TMJ for several years, and that effects of partial dentures on distal extension edentulous patients were unclear. However some studies are difficult to understand their conclusions after careful reviewing. Our data of 921 subjects demonstrated the prevalence of SDA, percentage of denture wearers in distal extension missing patients, and comparisons of occlusal force and masticatory performance between denture wearers and non-wearers (SDAs).

Relationship between bite force and salivary flow in older adults.

Objective: To examine the relationship between bite force and stimulated salivary flow rate in older adults.

Study Design: The study sample consisted of 934 independent-living, cognitively healthy Japanese older adults 60 to 84 years of age. The maximal bite force was measured with pressure-sensitive sheets, and stimulated whole saliva was collected using the mastication method.