A declining oral function is a risk factor for: frailty, need for nursing care, death, and dementia in community-dwelling older adults. Conversely, socialization, such as opportunities to go out, is important for maintaining the health of older adults.

  Therefore, as an oral health program that can be implemented in various municipalities, we provided community-dwelling older adults with a program that consisted of two nursing care-prevention classes once a month for 3 months and oral exercises including gum chewing training three times a day. The objective was to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Before and after program implementation, we measured and evaluated oral functions, such as the dental condition and chewing ability, physical functions, such as walking speed, and lifestyle factors, including dietary intake questionnaires.

  Of the 34 participants, 32 performed oral exercises three times a day (≥66%). Participation in the program significantly improved oral function (masticatory ability, p=0.001; tongue pressure, p=0.020; number of oral frailty items, p=0.047). Significant improvements were also confirmed in physical function and food intake status (hand grip strength, p=0.005; walking speed, p=0.002; one-legged standing with eyes open, p=0.006; dietary variety score, p=0.015).

  The results of this study confirm that an oral function decline-prevention program that combines nursing care-prevention classes and oral exercises is effective not only for improving the oral condition of the elderly, but also promoting physical function and food intake.

  This study was aimed to clarify how calcium fluoride formation on the demineralized enamel surface influences surface roughness following treatment with an aqueous sodium fluoride solution containing 1,450-ppm fluoride.

  Mirror-polished bovine enamel specimens were initially demineralized for 24 hours, and then they were subjected to either twenty 3-minute immersions or one continuous 60-minute immersion in a fluoride solution. The control group was immersed in ultrapure water for 60 minutes.

  Alkaline-soluble fluoride (calcium fluoride) was extracted using potassium hydroxide and quantified using a fluoride ion-selective electrode. The surface roughness was evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Amounts of extracted calcium fluoride were significantly larger in both fluoride-treated groups than in the control, with the 60-minute immersion group yielding the highest values. Regarding surface roughness, the smoothing rate, defined as the percentage reduction in roughness achieved through fluoride treatment relative to the increase resulting from demineralization, was significantly higher in the fluoride-treated groups (25.3 and 40.0%, respectively) than control group (-2.6%). In the 60-minute immersion group, the surface roughness increased significantly after alkaline extraction. These findings suggest that treatment with a 1,450-ppm fluoride solution promotes calcium fluoride formation on demineralized enamel surfaces, thereby contributing to enhanced surface smoothness.

  This cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of oral malodor and associated factors among Japanese female university students.

  A total of 131 female healthcare students with a mean age of 19.1±1.4 years participated. Oral malodor was assessed based on halitometric measurements. Participants were divided into three groups according to methyl mercaptan concentrations: (1) obvious, (2) light, and (3) non-oral malodor groups. Dry mouth was assessed using an oral moisture-checking meter, with a value of less than 27.0 indicating dry mouth. Tongue coating was assessed using the Winkle Tongue Coating Index after dividing the dorsum of the tongue into six sections. A self-reported questionnaire was administered to assess self-perception of oral malodor, sleep status, mental health, and oral health behavior. The findings showed that 34.4% of the participants had a self-perception of oral malodor, with the highest number of respondents reported having malodor persisting for more than five years. Rates of obvious and light oral malodor were both 12.2%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that participants with higher tongue coating scores (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01–1.78; p=0.041) and bedtime after 1:00 AM (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 1.30–18.43; p=0.019) were significantly more likely to have obvious oral malodor than those without these conditions.

  These findings suggest that long-term self-perception of oral malodor was prevalent, and tongue coating and a late bedtime were malodor-associated factors in this population.

  Recently, “swallowing without chewing well” and “swallowing whole food” have become problematic in early childhood. Therefore, support is needed to promote the acquisition of favorable eating behavior at this time. However, there is insufficient evidence identifying factors associated with such behavior that parents are concerned about. This study aimed to elucidate these factors in 5-year-old children and guardians’ consideration of meals, and investigate their relationships. The study subjects were 62 guardians of kindergarten children. We administered a questionnaire survey consisting of 22 items (eating behavior: 14 items; factors related to mouth breathing: 4 items; guardians’ consideration of meals: 4 items), and subsequently analyzed relationships among items. Significant correlations were noted among the items: “Picky eating: No” and “Incorporating tough foods,” “Incorporating foods that need to be chewed,” and “Preparing ingredients as large pieces” (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient: r=0.386, p<0.01; r=0.294, p<0.05; r=0.299, p<0.05, respectively). The item “Swallowing food without chewing it properly: No” was significantly correlated with “Incorporating tough foods” and “Incorporating foods that need to be chewed” (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient: r=0.310, p<0.05; r=0.252, p<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, “Posture at mealtimes” and “Concentration on eating” were significantly correlated with “Incorporating tough foods” (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient: r=0.403, p<0.01; r=0.411, p<0.01, respectively). The findings suggest that problematic eating behavior of 5-year-old children is associated with guardians’ consideration of meals.

Abstract in Japaneses