Compromised oral health has a significant negative impact on older adults’ quality of life including a greater risk of loneliness, a new study has found.
Researchers from the UCL Eastman Dental Institute found that ‘maintaining good oral health in older age may be a protective factor against loneliness’. They said that people who reported at least one oral health problem impacting their daily life were more than twice as likely to experience feelings of loneliness.
Lead researcher Patrick Rouxel said: ‘It is well known that oral disease and tooth loss have a significant negative impact on the quality of life and wellbeing of older adults.
‘Our research showed that oral health-related quality of life was an independent risk factor for loneliness amongst older adults, thereby showing the importance of maintaining good oral health as a protective factor against it.’
The researchers added that the results show a ‘strong and robust’ link between oral impacts and loneliness, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally
Why does poor oral health cause loneliness?
The researchers suggest that low self-esteem may be a significant factor in this association. Those suffering with poor oral health may limit their interactions with others due to a lack of confidence.
Poor oral health may also directly affect the sufferer’s ability to communicate in cases where function is compromised.
Patrick Rouxel stressed that older adults may not be able to independently manage their oral health. He said: ‘Older adults are often vulnerable, and may require help in maintaining their independence and preserving their confidence in oral health functioning. This includes daily life activities such as eating, talking and smiling.’
Data from a ‘nationally representative’ sample of more than 4,500 adults over 50 in the UK was included in the study.
How else can oral health affect older adults?
In 2023, a study found that poor oral health contributed to several brain illnesses common in older adults, such as stroke, dementia and cognitive decline.
Researchers said that periodontitis and missing teeth could cause the brain to atrophy or degenerate faster. This is because oral health can affect the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain dedicated to memory, learning and emotion. It is also the area which is vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease.
Study author Satoshi Yamaguchi said: ‘Retaining more healthy teeth without periodontal disease may help to protect brain health. It is important to retain more teeth, but retaining more teeth with severe periodontal disease may be detrimental to the brain.
‘It has also been suggested that the pathogen of periodontal disease itself may invade the brain and damage nerve tissue. Fewer teeth reduce chewing stimulation, which can also lead to brain atrophy.
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