Poor oral health increases risks of frailty in older men

Researchers observed more than 1,000 men over a three-year period and found those with poor oral health were more likely to suffer from weight loss, exhaustion, and a reduction in walking speed, gripping ability and low physical activity.

The study showed that one in five (20 per cent) of people examined had no teeth, more than half (54 per cent) had gum disease, nearly a third (29 per cent) suffered from dry mouth and around one in ten (11 per cent) had trouble eating.

Nigel Carter, chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says older adults are more likely to experience issues in the mouth, which can have a direct effect on their overall wellbeing, “Oral health problems are more common among older adults with tooth loss, gum disease, tooth decay and dry mouth the most likely to occur.  These conditions not only influence the health of the mouth but also impacts on a person’s quality of life too.