Over 50s with fewer than 20 teeth at higher risk of musculoskeletal frailty

Published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International on 8 December, the research led by Dr Wael Sabbah, from King’s College London Dental Institute, examined the overall health of 9,338 Americans aged 50 years and older.  The final analysis involved an examination of the frailty of 924 males and 928 females, who had a mean age of 62.9 years.

Participants were categorised into three groups: those having at least 20 teeth, denture wearers with less than 20 teeth, and non-denture wearers with less than 20 teeth. The groups were tested using a combination of interviews (focusing on nutritional intake), clinical examinations - including handgrip strength tests, and BMI and oral health assessments, to calculate frailty.

Results from the study indicated that those with more than 20 teeth were significantly less likely to be frail than those with less than 20 teeth who did not use dentures. This group was also found to have consumed the greatest amount of nutrients over the study period.