Association Between Oral Health and Chewing Ability Among Independent Older Adults

ABSTRACT Background Few studies have examined the association between oral health and specific foods that can be chewed while also considering denture use. Objectives This study examined the relationship between oral health, including denture use, and chewing ability among older adults. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 297 participants. Oral health was assessed by recording the natural teeth, fixed dentures, removable dentures, and oral hygiene status. Occlusal condition was evaluated using posterior occluding pairs (POPs) of natural teeth and fixed dentures, and POPs including removable dentures. Participants completed a self‐administered questionnaire on their ability to chew six foods of varying hardness. Logistic regression analyses were performed with chewing ability as the dependent variable. Results A greater number of teeth was associated with lower odds of being limited to chewing five or fewer foods. In analyses including teeth, POPs of natural teeth and fixed dentures, and denture use, participants with 0–3 POPs of natural teeth and fixed dentures had significantly higher odds of chewing five or fewer foods. In analyses including teeth, POPs including removable dentures, and denture use, a greater number of teeth was again associated with lower odds of being limited to chewing five or fewer foods. Participants with 0–3 POPs including removable dentures and denture users had significantly higher odds of chewing five or fewer foods. Conclusions Preserving natural teeth and maintaining occlusion in the premolar and molar regions are important for sustaining adequate chewing ability. If multiple teeth are lost, even if the occlusion is restored with dentures to improve chewing ability, it will not be as good as chewing with natural teeth.