Factors associated with dry mouth in dependent Japanese elderly.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with dry mouth. BACKGROUND: Dry mouth adversely affects oropharyngeal health, particularly in elderly, and can lead to pneumonia. A better understanding of the epidemiology of dry mouth is therefore important in improving treatment strategies and oral health in high-risk elderly patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 383 dependent Japanese elderly individuals (65-84 [n = 167] and ≥85 [n = 216] years) at eight long-term care facilities and hospitals. Thirty-four potential factors associated with dry mouth were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome was dry mouth, as diagnosed by tongue dorsum moisture. RESULTS: We identified that body mass index and severity of physical disability were identified as a potential factors associated with dry mouth in the super-elderly (≥85 years) group, whereas severity of physical disability, outcome measurement time, high daily water consumption, mouth breathing, use of antidepressants and diuretics, and high frequency of daily brushing (≥2 times per day; Odds ratio: 5.56; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.52-20.00) were associated with dry mouth in the 65- to 84-year-old group. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify a link between frequency of daily brushing and dry mouth and suggests that tooth brushing should be encouraged in high-risk dependent Japanese elderly (65-84 years), particularly those taking antidepressants and/or diuretics.

Effect of fluoride-substituted apatite on in vivo bone formation.

Biological apatites are characterized by the presence of minor constituents such as magnesium (Mg), chloride (Cl), or fluoride (F) ions. These ions affect cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation during bone tissue formation. F-substituted apatites are being explored as potential bonegraft materials. The aim of the present study is to investigate the mechanism of bone formation induced by fluoride-substituted apatite (FAp) by analyzing the effect of FAp on the process of in vivo bone formation. FAps containing different F concentrations (l-FAp: 0.48 wt%, m-FAp: 0.91 wt%, h-FAp: 2.23 wt%) and calcium-deficient apatite (CDA), as positive control, were implanted in rat tibia and bone formation was evaluated by histological examination, immuhistochemistry, in situ hybridization and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase examinations. The results showed that l-FAp, m-FAp, h-FAp, and CDA biomaterials allowed migration of macrophages, attachment, proliferation, and phenotypic expression of bone cells leading to new bone formation in direct apposition to the particles. However, the l-FAp preparation allowed faster bone conduction compared to the other experimental materials. These results suggest that FAp with low F concentration may be an efficient bonegraft material for dental and medical application.

Effect of CaTiO(3)-CaCO(3) prepared by alkoxide method on cell response.

In recent years, calcium titanate (CaTiO(3)) and carbon-containing materials have gained much attention in a number of biomedical material researches. To maximize the advantages of both materials, we developed a novel alkoxide method to get "calcium titanate with calcium carbonate" (CaTiO(3)-CaCO(3)). The objective was to evaluate the crystallinity and elemental composition of CaTiO(3)-CaCO(3) prepared by alkoxide method, CaTiO(3)-aC elaborated by modified thermal decomposition method, commercially-prepared CaTiO(3), and the effect of these materials on the bone marrow stromal cell. Hydroxyapatite was used as positive control material. We examined the cellular proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation, and mineralization of KUSA/A1 cells cultured with the materials. The results showed that CaTiO(3)-CaCO(3) and CaTiO(3)-aC contained evidence of calcium carbonate enhancing cell proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation, and mineralization. On the contrary, the commercially-prepared CaTiO(3) revealed absence of calcium carbonate with lower cell response than the other groups. The results indicated that calcium carbonate could play a key role in the cell response of CaTiO(3) material. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CaTiO(3)-CaCO(3) could be considered an important candidate as a biomaterial for medical and dental applications.