Effects of Dentures on Older People’s Nutritional Health
Most studies have associated denture wearing with a higher risk of malnutrition and lower nutritional intake in the elderly. As the effect of wearing dentures remains debatable, the aim of this study was to determine if older adults wearing dentures have a higher risk of malnutrition. There are many factors that can affect appetite in the older adult. Decreased ability to ambulate due to joint issues or pain can also negatively impact an older adult’s appetite. But perhaps one significant factor that is commonly overlooked is the ill fitting partial or complete denture.
It is well established that a good diet is essential for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth, but healthy teeth are important in enabling the consumption of a varied and healthy diet throughout the life cycle. The necessities of dental clients, in particular geriatric dental clients, have steadily increased and dental services involving the number of individuals needing complete dentures is on the rise. It is estimated that a person reaching 65 will live an additional 17.8 years. A census collected by the American Dental Association has established that nearly 57% of people ages 65-74 are wearing some form of denture, either partial or complete
Older Americans who currently have poor oral health have been disadvantaged by not having fluoridated water and oral hygiene products containing fluoride in their younger years. Ensuring the validity and proper use of the dental prosthesis or appliance is of paramount importance for the individual’s overall health.
Multiple reasons may affect an individual’s aptitude in wearing their dental prosthesis. One attribute is the minimization of taste and texture sensation due to the covering of the palate. More significantly, many denture wearers develop painful sores because of ill fitting dental prostheses. Complete and partial dentures must go through a regimented dental protocol to ensure appropriate fit from the onset both in the clinical setting as well as in the laboratory. A poorly fabricated denture could cause harm and discontent for the individual which can potentially lead to cessation of use of the appliance.
The dentures should be removed daily for proper hygiene and to allow the gums to rest. Avoiding these measures would lead to movement in the oral cavity and ultimately deem the dental prosthesis to be cymbalta crazy meds ill fitting. Those individuals with ill fitting dentures self-reported a significantly lower use of professional dental services, higher degree of oral function limitations, and significantly increased levels of poor health and depression.
Although dentures have been shown to improve the quality of life for older people, there are also some risks that come along with them. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if dentures are the right choice for you or your loved ones. There are many factors to consider, such as whether or not the person can properly care for their dentures and if they’re likely to experience any complications from wearing them. Ultimately, only a healthcare professional can make the decision about whether or not dentures are safe for an individual.
All in all, research on the effects of dentures on older people’s nutritional health is inconclusive. There are studies that show both positive and negative effects of dentures on nutrition among this population group. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of wearing dentures on nutritional status in older adults.