The impact of oral health on taste ability in acutely hospitalized elderly
- PMID: 22570725
- PMCID: PMC3343000
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036557
The impact of oral health on taste ability in acutely hospitalized elderly
Abstract
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 CRT® 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 growth of oral bacteria, poor oral hygiene, and dry mouth. Our findings indicate that good oral health is important for adequate gustatory function. Maintaining proper oral hygiene in hospitalized elderly should therefore get high priority among hospital staff.
Conflict of interest statement
Similar articles
-
Taste ability in hospitalised older people compared with healthy, age-matched controls.Gerodontology. 2014 Mar;31(1):42-8. doi: 10.1111/ger.12001. Epub 2012 Sep 11. Gerodontology. 2014. PMID: 22967303
-
Bitter and sweet taste perception: relationships to self-reported oral hygiene habits and oral health status in a survey of Australian adults.BMC Oral Health. 2021 Oct 29;21(1):553. doi: 10.1186/s12903-021-01910-8. BMC Oral Health. 2021. PMID: 34715836 Free PMC article.
-
Taste hyposensitivity in Japanese schoolchildren.BMC Oral Health. 2014 Apr 11;14:36. doi: 10.1186/1472-6831-14-36. BMC Oral Health. 2014. PMID: 24725841 Free PMC article.
-
Taste loss in the elderly: epidemiology, causes and consequences.Aging Clin Exp Res. 2012 Dec;24(6):570-9. doi: 10.3275/8520. Epub 2012 Jul 24. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2012. PMID: 22828477 Review.
-
[Everything you always wanted to know about the mouth of the elderly].Soins Gerontol. 2021 Jul-Aug;26(150):43-46. doi: 10.1016/j.sger.2021.05.010. Epub 2021 May 11. Soins Gerontol. 2021. PMID: 34304811 Review. French.
Cited by
-
Oral Microbiome: A Review of Its Impact on Oral and Systemic Health.Microorganisms. 2024 Aug 29;12(9):1797. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12091797. Microorganisms. 2024. PMID: 39338471 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Oral Microbiome Dysbiosis as a Risk Factor for Stroke: A Comprehensive Review.Microorganisms. 2024 Aug 22;12(8):1732. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12081732. Microorganisms. 2024. PMID: 39203574 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Characterization of dysgeusia and xerostomia in patients with multiple myeloma treated with the T-cell redirecting GPRC5D bispecific antibody talquetamab.Support Care Cancer. 2023 Dec 14;32(1):20. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08233-0. Support Care Cancer. 2023. PMID: 38092979
-
The role of the oral microbiome in obesity and metabolic disease: potential systemic implications and effects on taste perception.Nutr J. 2023 May 27;22(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s12937-023-00856-7. Nutr J. 2023. PMID: 37237407 Free PMC article. Review.
-
From Drugs to Dry Mouth: A Systematic Review Exploring Oral and Psychological Health Conditions Associated with Dry Mouth in Older Adults with Polypharmacy.Drugs Aging. 2023 Apr;40(4):307-316. doi: 10.1007/s40266-023-01017-5. Epub 2023 Mar 21. Drugs Aging. 2023. PMID: 36943673
References
-
- Schiffman SS, Graham BG. Taste and smell perception affect appetite and immunity in the elderly. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(Suppl 3):S54–S63. - PubMed
-
- Mowe M, Bohmer T, Kindt E. Reduced nutritional status in an elderly population (>70 y) is probable before disease and possibly contributes to the development of disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59:317–324. - PubMed
-
- Planas M, Audivert S, Perez-Portabella C, Burgos R, Puiggros C, Casanelles JM, Rossello J. Nutritional status among adult patients admitted to an university-affiliated hospital in Spain at the time of genoma. Clin Nutr. 2004;23:1016–1024. - PubMed
-
- Mowe M, Bohmer T. Reduced appetite. A predictor for undernutrition in aged people. J Nutr Health Aging. 2002;6:81–83. - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Research Materials