Nutritional management of older patients with impaired functions that dentists should be aware of

Abstract

This paper outlines the correlation between dysphagia and malnutrition in older adults and proposes strategic countermeasures. Nutritional status is a critical determinant of prognosis in this population. Notably, more than half of individuals with dysphagia are malnourished, a condition frequently underdiagnosed through visual assessment alone. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form^Ⓡ (MNA-SF^Ⓡ) serves as a simple, highly sensitive, and essential tool for early screening. To prevent energy deficits that exacerbate malnutrition, maintaining oral intake is paramount, and fasting should be avoided whenever possible. Given that muscle protein synthesis capacity declines with age, a protein intake of approximately 20 g per meal is recommended, with particular emphasis on breakfast. For effective weight management, caloric fortification using medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is highly beneficial. Furthermore, as dysphagia-modified diets often suffer from reduced nutrient density, the strategic integration of oral nutritional supplements is a practical necessity. Ultimately, preserving tongue pressure and overall physical function is vital for the maintenance of a regular diet, and a multifaceted intervention strategy is indispensable for the prevention of malnutrition in older adults.