Teeth loss in the elderly is related to malnutrition

Elderly patients tend to lose weight loss, loss of appetite and increased risk of dementia and depression.

a new study warns adults with only 10 to 19 teeth and a higher risk of malnutrition.

These patients also had higher rates of weight loss, lower appetite, and increased risk of dementia and / or depression, as well as serious illness. those who had a normal nutritional status.

Older adults also had a risk of impairment to oral health, showed the results.
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"The mouth is the way of entry for the consumption of food and liquids.If its integrity is impaired, the functional ability of an individual to consume an adequate diet could suffer," said Rena Zelig , lead author at Rutgers University.
In addition, the researchers stated that dental clinics were the ideal place to perform nutritional status screenings, as they could identify patients who did not regularly visit a primary health care provider and who were at risk. malnutrition.

"Clinicians can also refer patients to other services Dietitians and community-based programs such as Meals on Wheels to prevent further decline in nutritional status" said Zelig.

The study, published in the Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice, badyzed the medical records of 107 elderly people aged 65 and over.

The results showed that 20.6% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 4.7% were malnourished.

In addition, more than 87% of them were partially or completely missing teeth.

However, more in-depth studies were needed to examine the relationship between tooth loss and risk of malnutrition and the impact of tooth loss on diet and consumption.