Does maintaining the number of present and functional teeth benefit the longevity of life in older people requiring nursing care?: A prospective cohort study

Eri Koyama; Aya Kimura-Ono; Takuya Mino; Yoko Kurosaki; Kana Tokumoto; Michiyo Yamamoto; Shinsuke Nakagawa; Suguru Osaka; Kumiko Nawachi; Mami Inoue-Minakuchi; Mitsuaki Ono; Hajime Minakuchi; Kenji Maekawa; Takuo Kuboki

doi:10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_23_00221

Eri Koyama, Aya Kimura-Ono , Takuya Mino, Yoko Kurosaki, Kana Tokumoto, Michiyo Yamamoto, Shinsuke Nakagawa, Suguru Osaka, Kumiko Nawachi, Mami Inoue-Minakuchi, Mitsuaki Ono, Hajime Minakuchi, Kenji Maekawa, Takuo Kuboki

Author information

Eri Koyama
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Aya Kimura-Ono Corresponding author
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Takuya Mino
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, Osaka Dental University, Hirakata, Japan
Yoko Kurosaki
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Kana Tokumoto
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan
Michiyo Yamamoto
AINOSATO Clinic, Dental Clinic, Okayama, Japan
Shinsuke Nakagawa
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Suguru Osaka
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Kumiko Nawachi
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Mami Inoue-Minakuchi
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Mitsuaki Ono
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
Hajime Minakuchi
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Kenji Maekawa
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, Osaka Dental University, Hirakata, Japan
Takuo Kuboki
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan

Keywords: Mortality, Tooth loss, Dental care for older adults, Oral health, Nursing care

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS Advance online publication

Article ID: JPR_D_23_00221

DOI https://doi.org/10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_23_00221

Details

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective cohort study examined the effects of the number of present and functional teeth on mortality among older Japanese adults requiring nursing care in an environment of comprehensive oral hygiene and nutritional management.

Methods: The study included 174 older adults (mean age: 84.4 ± 8.3 years; male/female: 49/125) in need of support or long-term care, who resided in either a local specialized healthcare facility or their own homes, and received daily oral hygiene and nutritional support at facilities in Okayama, Japan. The initial clinical oral examination along with assessment of general physical condition and nursing environment of the participants were performed in July 2013 and followed up for one year.

Results: All-cause mortality occurred in 28 (mean age: 88.7 ±13.4 years; male/female: 6 /22) individuals during the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that older age, low performance in activities of daily living (Barthel Index <40), and underweight status (body mass index <18.5) were significant risk factors for mortality. The number of present and functional teeth were not found to be significant risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions: During the one-year follow-up period, the number of present and functional teeth did not have a significant impact on mortality among older Japanese adults requiring nursing care in a well-managed environment of oral hygiene and nutritional status.

Corresponding author

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