Salivary flow rate and the risk of cognitive impairment among Korean elders: a cross-sectional study

Background Salivary function has been suggested to be associated with cognitive impairment. However, the effect of salivary flow rate (SFR) on cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether SFR is associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders. Methods This cross-sectional study included 649 elders aged 65 and older in the Korean community-dwelling population. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination. Unstimulated SFR was measured and dichotomized. Denture status, age, sex, education level, smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were considered confounders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the adjusted association. Stratified analysis by sex and denture status was performed to clarify the effect modification. Results Participants without cognitive impairment showed a higher SFR level than those with cognitive impairment (0.81 mL/min for non-cognitive impairment versus 0.52 mL/min for cognitive impairment, p < 0.001). After controlling for confounders, participants with low SFR (< 0.3 mL/min) were more likely to have cognitive impairment by 1.5 times than participants with normal SFR (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5, confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–2.10). The association of low SFR with cognitive impairment was higher in women and dentate participants: about 10% higher in women (OR = 1.63, CI = 1.07–2.50) and about 22% higher in dentate participants (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.41–2.90). Conclusions Salivary flow rate is independently associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders. The association was modified in females and dentate elders. Physicians and dentists should consider low SFR and cognitive impairment as a risk factor between them in clinics.

More Teeth and Posterior Balanced Occlusion Are a Key Determinant for Cognitive Function in the Elderly

Age-related decline in cognitive function is a major challenge in geriatric healthcare. A possible explanation is that the tooth loss or low chewing ability is at cause of cognitive impairment or dementia. The study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between chewing ability and cognitive function in the elderly. A total of 563 participants aged 65 years or over residing in urban and rural areas of South Korea were surveyed. The chewing ability was measured by objectively measurable indications such as the number of remaining teeth, denture status, color-changeable gum, and occlusal balance using T-Scan III®. The cognitive function was measured by the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) and a score of 24 or more (out of 30) indicates a normal cognition, below 23 indicates cognitive impairment. The association between socio-demographic factors, chewing ability factors, and cognitive function demonstrated statistically significant results. When comparing the denture status and chewing ability, the proportion of need denture group had fewer remaining teeth and anterior balanced occlusion. The average number of remaining teeth in anterior balanced occlusion with cognitive impairment was 11.2 compared to posterior balanced occlusion with the normal cognition 19.2. A multiple linear regression analysis declared a significant correlation between number of remaining teeth, denture status, occlusal balance, and cognitive function. Results of the present study revealed objectively measurable indications are suitable for chewing ability assessment and correlated with cognitive function.

Factors Related to Patient Expectation and Satisfaction among New and Existing Denture wearers with Complete Denture therapy

Introduction: Edentulism is considered a debilitating condition with aging in which several dental and non-dental factors play a vital role in the success of prosthodontic treatment. Patient satisfaction is an important non-dental component. The dentist should aim for functional rehabilitation by satisfying the patient medically, functionally, and psychologically. Patient satisfaction depends on two factors: patient factor and dentist factor. From the patient’s view, satisfaction is guided by improved quality with factors like eating, easy communication, comfort, social life, economic status, and vocational opportunities. From dentist’s view, treatment options, treatment cost etc. affects the patient’s satisfaction. Materials and Methods: Experimental study conducted in Department of Prosthodontics, College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur in patients receiving complete denture by convenience sampling in six months duration in sixty-five samples. Questionnaires regarding patient’s expectations and satisfaction in terms of retention, mastication, phonetics, esthetics, and comfort were used in both 1st-time denture wearer and existing denture wearer was recorded. Grading was rated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 using the optimum cutoff values. Data were recorded in SPSS 21 and analyzed. Results: Independent t-test was carried out for expectation showing a statistically significant difference between retention, mastication, aesthetics, phonetics, comfort, and denture status with p value 0.036, 0.00, 0.001, 0.003, and 0.013 respectively. Statistically, a significant difference was found for satisfaction between aesthetics and denture status with a p-value of 0.01. Conclusions: Expectation and satisfaction were found to be more in first-time denture wearers than existing denture wearers. Experiences obtained beforehand with complete dentures could influence patient expectations and satisfaction.