The Relationship among Dental Status, Nutrient Intake, and Nutritional Status in Older People

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 408 - 413
• Main Authors: Sheiham, A., Steele, J.G., Marcenes, W., Lowe, C., Finch, S., Bates, C.J., Prentice, A., Walls, A.W.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2001; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - blood; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - etiology; Deficiency Diseases - blood; Deficiency Diseases - etiology; Dental Health Surveys; dental status; Energy Intake; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Micronutrients - deficiency; Mouth, Edentulous - complications; Mouth, Edentulous - physiopathology; nutrient intake; nutrition; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; older people; Tooth Loss - complications; Tooth Loss - physiopathology; nutrition; older people; dental status; nutrient intake
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/00220345010800020201

Dental health status may influence nutrition. The objective of this part of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey was to assess if there is a relationship between dental status in people 65 years and older and intake of certain nutrients and any link between dental status and blood-derived values of key nutrients. Random national samples of independently living subjects and those living in institutions had dental examinations, interviews, four-day food diaries, and blood and urine analyzed. In the sample living independently, intakes of most nutrients were lower in edentate than dentate subjects. Intake of non-starch polysaccharides, protein, calcium, non-heme iron, niacin, and vitamin C was significantly lower in edentate subjects. People with 21 or more teeth consumed more of most nutrients, particularly of non-starch polysaccharide. This relationship in intake was not apparent in the hematological analysis. Plasma ascorbate and plasma retinol were the only analytes significantly associated with dental status.