Abstract
Improvement of oral function is effective to maintain healthy swallowing and to prevent declining vital function among the elderly individuals. Oral frailty caused by decreasing oral function has a close relationship with preventive long-term care.
First, we explain the concept of frailty and the distribution of subjects with frail symptoms among elderly residents. Second, we specifically focused on oral frailty, including chewing, swallowing, and eating. We analyzed the trend of studies related to the concept of oral frailty. In addition, health strategies regarding oral frailty and some oral function evaluation methods were reviewed.
