These results suggest that keeping oral motor function, as well as maintenance of occlusal support, to be important for maintaining masticatory function in the elderly.

It is important for the elderly to maintain their skeletal muscle mass, which in turn helps to maintain physical functions. This study aimed to clarify factors related to skeletal muscle mass maintenance. Home-bound elderly (94 men and 216 women), at least 75 years of age, attending a day-care center in Tokyo, were enrolled in this study. Dentists specializing in dysphagia rehabilitation evaluated skeletal muscle mass, occlusal status and swallowing function. Physical function, cognitive function and nutritional status were also evaluated by interviewing caregivers. Correlations of skeletal muscle mass with various factors were determined in each gender group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that skeletal muscle mass was significantly related to nutritional status in both men and women. In men, there was a significant difference in skeletal muscle mass between those with and without occlusion of the natural teeth. Our results suggest that dental treatments and dentures would be useful for maintaining skeletal muscle mass, especially in men.

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Objective We considered the effect of dysphagia rehabilitation and investigated parameters associated with the resumption of oral intake in the elderly patients receiving home nursing care who were not eating by mouth. Methods The participants were 116 patients aged ≥65 years (66 men and 50 women, mean age 79.7 ± 8.9 years) who were receiving home nursing care and not eating by mouth because of dysphagia. All patients underwent dysphagia rehabilitation for 6 months with the objective of resuming oral intake. After 6 months of dysphagia rehabilitation, the patients’ eating status was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and the associations of the post‐intervention FOIS score with age, history of pneumonia, duration of enteral nutrition, body mass index (BMI), alertness, physical function (ability to walk) and swallowing function at the initial examination. Results Functional Oral Intake Scale scores increased significantly after 6 months rather than those at the initial evaluation ( P < .001). Eighty patients (69.0%) resumed oral intake (FOIS score ≥2), thirty patients (25.9%) of whom became capable of daily oral intake (FOIS score ≥3). Swallowing function was associated with the resumption of oral intake. In addition, physical function before dysphagia rehabilitation was an important factor to resume daily oral intake. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that the resumption of oral intake by patients receiving enteral nutrition requires improvement in swallowing function. In addition, anyone who cannot walk may not recover daily oral intake.