Consumption of green tea but not coffee is associated with the oral health-related quality of life among an older Japanese population: Kyoto-Kameoka cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The consumption of both green tea and coffee is known to induce positive health effects; however, it remains unclear whether there is an association between the consumption of these beverages and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Thus, the present study investigated the relationship between the consumption of green tea and coffee and OHRQoL. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data in 2012. The subjects were 7514 Japanese participants (3563 men, 3951 women; ≥65 years of age). Each subject completed a validated self-administered questionnaire that included items on the frequency of the consumption of green tea and coffee. OHRQoL was evaluated using the self-reported General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), which assesses oral health problems in older adults. A GOHAI score <50 points was defined as a poor OHRQoL. RESULTS: Following adjustment for age, body mass index, total energy intake, alcohol, smoking, medication use, coffee, and fruit and vegetable consumption, increased consumption of green tea showed a strong positive association with the GOHAI score in both men and women (Ptrend < 0.001 in both). In contrast, after adjusting for all factors, no statistically significant association was observed between coffee consumption and the GOHAI score in men (Ptrend = 0.538) or women (Ptrend = 0.607). The respective multivariate-odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for a poor OHRQoL associated with green tea consumption frequencies of none, <1 cup/day, 1-2 cups/day, and ≥3 cups/day were 1.00, 1.01 (0.80-1.27), 0.95 (0.74-1.21), and 0.78 (0.61-0.99) (Ptrend = 0.024) in men, and 1.00, 1.19 (0.90-1.57), 0.98 (0.74-1.29), and 0.86 (0.67-1.12) (Ptrend = 0.014) in women. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of sex, green tea consumption was positively associated with the GOHAI score. Therefore, ≥3 cups/day of green tea may reduce the risk of a poor OHRQoL, especially in men.

Efficacy of a New Post-Mouthwash Intervention (Wiping Plus Oral Nutritional Supplements) for Preventing Aspiration Pneumonia in Elderly People: A Multicenter, Randomized, Comparative Trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Aspiration pneumonia is a common cause of death among the elderly (≥90-year-old) in nursing homes. Studies suggest that its incidence could be reduced by oral care interventions. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new oral care intervention: wiping plus oral nutritional supplements (ONS). METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in 252 patients (age 88.0 ± 6.5 years) in 75 nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, and other care facilities. Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 74) and a control group (n = 107), whose members received conventional oral care. Body mass index, activities of daily living (Barthel index), and complete blood count and biochemistry parameters were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 months. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of pneumonia at 8 months tended to be lower in the intervention than in the control group (7.8 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.056) and was significantly lower for men in the intervention group (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Our new intervention "wiping plus providing ONS" method appears to help prevent aspiration pneumonia, thereby reducing mortality risk. In this study, we disseminate information on how this method is used in Japan.

Feeding therapy for children with food refusal.

Disabled children suffer not only from their primary disease, but also from other complications, including food refusal. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between these conditions and food refusal in disabled children. The effectiveness of feeding therapy in treating food refusal was also examined. The study subjects were 67 disabled children (35 boys and 32 girls; mean age at initial examination: 6.5 years, SD: 6.0 years) who attended the Nippon Dental University Hospital between April 2004 and August 2008. Of them, the 13 subjects who were diagnosed as those who refused food received feeding therapy combined with desensitization therapy for hypersensitivity. Approximately 20% of the subjects showed food refusal symptoms. Primary disease, respiratory impairment and gastroesophageal reflux were not causes of food refusal in this population. There was a significant relationship between food refusal and hypersensitivity (p = 0.021). After receiving feeding therapy, six of the seven subjects with hypersensitivity but without dysphagia at initial examination recovered from food refusal. Food refusal did not significantly correlate with tube feeding. Hypersensitivity and/or tube feeding may induce food refusal. For subjects with these conditions, feeding therapy combined with desensitization therapy is effective in achieving recovery from food refusal.

The degree of tongue-coating reflects lingual motor function in the elderly.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the degree of tongue-coating and oral function. BACKGROUND: Tongue-coating is a moss-like deposit which forms over the tongue surface, and includes micro-organisms, food residues, and abrasive epithelia. It is considered that motor function of the tongue and lips and saliva secretion decrease in the aged and have some effect on the accumulation of tongue-coating. Although saliva secretion has been reported as a factor amongst these oral functions in contributing to tongue-coating, the correlation with the motor function of oral structures is unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The factors that contribute to the accumulation of tongue-coating were examined in 48 subjects of advanced age (mean age 80.8 +/- 7.8 years) with no severe levels of periodontal disease. Changes in the degree of tongue-coating were also examined after oral functional training in these subjects. The frequency of oral cleaning, status of oral hygiene, motor function of the tongue, and masticatory performance were examined as potential factors associated with the degree of coating. RESULTS: The results showed that tongue pressure and the frequency of oral diadochokinesis measured by pronouncing the single syllable 'ka' as an indicator were statistically significantly correlated with the degree of tongue-coating. Several factors in oral function improved with training, and also the degree of tongue-coating decreased in 27 subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a correlation between the degree of tongue-coating and a reduction in lingual motor function and, in addition, possible improvement in level of coating by functional training of the tongue.

Effects of oral functional training for nutritional improvement in Japanese older people requiring long-term care.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral functional training and nutrient supplements to improve the nutrition of malnourished elderly people in a nursing home. BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a frequent problem in the elderly requiring long-tem care; however, it is not clear whether oral functional training can be effective to improve nutrition. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fourteen subjects of 82 residents (mean age 85.7+or-6.2 years) in a nursing home, who had a serum albumin level of