Oral Health and Physical Function in Aging Populations

Oral health and physical function are intimately linked in older adults through pathways involving nutrition, neuromuscular performance and systemic inflammation. Tooth loss, periodontal disease and diminished masticatory efficiency can limit dietary choices, leading to inadequate intake of protein and micronutrients essential for muscle maintenance. Concurrently, reduced muscle strength and impaired gait speed contribute to frailty, loss of independence and increased risk of falls. Emerging evidence indicates bidirectional interactions: poor oral status accelerates muscle decline, while diminished handgrip strength and mobility hinder oral hygiene and access to dental care. Recognising these interconnections is crucial for developing integrated interventions that preserve both dental integrity and musculoskeletal health, thereby improving quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens in ageing societies worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A community-based study in two Chinese districts assessed associations between self-reported tooth loss and sarcopenia in adults over 60. While overall muscle mass did not differ by number of missing teeth, gait speed in women and grip strength in men were significantly lower in those reporting loss of ten or more teeth. These gender-specific effects underscore the role of oral integrity in maintaining distinct domains of physical function. The findings support targeted oral hygiene and prosthetic rehabilitation as components of sarcopenia prevention strategies in older populations.

Oral Health and Physical Function in Aging Populations publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oral health and physical function in aging populations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Sarcopenia: Age-related syndrome of progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.

Handgrip strength: Indicator of overall muscle strength measured by a dynamometer.

Masticatory function: Efficiency of chewing determined by dental status and muscular control.

Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB): Composite test of balance, gait speed and chair rise used to assess lower-extremity function.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA): Non-invasive method to estimate body composition, including muscle mass, via electrical conductance.

References

1. Association between number of functional teeth and physical function among community-dwelling older adults: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
2. Nutrition mediates the relationship between number of teeth and sarcopenia: a pathway analysis. BMC Geriatrics (2022).
3. Relationship between tooth loss and sarcopenia in suburban community-dwelling older adults in Shanghai and Tianjin of China. Scientific Reports (2022).
4. Association of periodontitis with handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged US adults from NHANES 2013–2014. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2023).