Tongue function is important for masticatory performance in the healthy elderly: a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling elderly

Keiichiro Sagawa; Hiroyasu Furuya; Yuki Ohara; Mitsuyoshi Yoshida; Hirohiko Hirano; Katsuya Iijima; Takeshi Kikutani

doi:10.1016/j.jpor.2018.03.006

Original Articles

Tongue function is important for masticatory performance in the healthy elderly: a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling elderly

Keiichiro Sagawa, Hiroyasu Furuya, Yuki Ohara, Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, Hirohiko Hirano, Katsuya Iijima, Takeshi Kikutani

Author information

Keiichiro Sagawa
The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation
Hiroyasu Furuya
The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation
Yuki Ohara
Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department of Oral Health Care Education, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
Mitsuyoshi Yoshida
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Advanced Prosthodontics
Hirohiko Hirano
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly
Katsuya Iijima
The University of Tokyo, Institute of Gerontology (IOG)
Takeshi Kikutani
The Nippon Dental University, Graduate School of Life Dentistry, Division of Clinical Oral Rehabilitation
The Nippon Dental University, Tama Oral Rehabilitation Clinic, Division of Rehabilitation for Speech and Swallowing Disorders

Keywords: Elderly, Oral function, Masticatory function, Tongue muscle force, Speed of tongue movement, Bite force

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2019 Volume 63 Issue 1 Pages 31-34

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpor.2018.03.006

Details

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the influences of oral motor function such as tongue function and bite force on masticatory performance in the elderly.

Methods: We randomly selected 245 subjects who has 28 natural teeth among community-dwelling elderly. We evaluated masticatory performance using a gummy jelly, and also measured bite force, tongue muscle force, and the speed of tongue movement.

Results: We found that reduced masticatory performance to be associated with decreased the speed of tongue movement and/or tongue muscle force, indicating that reduced oral motor function also influences masticatory performance.

Conclusions: These results suggest that keeping oral motor function, as well as maintenance of occlusal support, to be important for maintaining masticatory function in the elderly.

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