Ammon News - Poor oral health may significantly reduce life expectancy, according to a new Japanese study that called for better dental maintenance among older adults.

Frail oral health, defined as having fewer remaining teeth, dry mouth, trouble speaking, and difficulty chewing and swallowing, can reflect poor general health in ageing people, the study found, according to The Independent.

Someone may have most of their natural teeth but still be considered “orally frail” if they suffer chewing problems as mouth health also involves muscle strength, saliva, and swallowing ability, it said.

Such oral frailty, Japanese researchers found, was strongly tied to lower chances of healthy ageing.

The researchers assessed the oral health of 11,080 adults in Japan aged 65 or above.

The study participants were asked whether they had visited a dentist in the previous six months and were followed for an average of six years, using the national disability and mortality records, to see if they stayed healthy, developed disabilities, or passed away.

Of the 11,080 adults assessed, 12% had oral frailty at the start of the study and about 50% had visited a dentist in the past six months.

Those with oral frailty were 23% more likely to move from healthy to disability during the follow-up period compared to those without. And the orally frail participants were 34% more likely to die during follow-up.

The researchers recommended that older adults see a dentist regularly to avoid or delay decline in oral function and help them stay healthier and more independent for longer.

Although the findings do not prove that dental visits directly lead to better health outcomes, the study said the association is strong and consistent across different groups.

“These findings suggest the need for public health policies promoting oral health, which could significantly improve the quality of life and reduce disability burden among older adults,” it noted.