Our findings showed that the prevalence of xerostomia and hyposalivation were approximately 1 in 3 and 1 in 10 respectively. The factors associated with psychological factors and high-level functional competence, while hyposalivation was associated with medications and gender, as well as systemic and/or metabolic differences. It is important to consider these multidimensional factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of osteocalcin, a bone specific matrix protein, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from periodontal disease patients and to investigate the relationship between GCF osteocalcin levels and clinical parameters. Nineteen initial visit patients, 5 patients with gingivitis and 14 patients with adult periodontitis, participated in this study. The clinical parameters including probing depth, attachment level, gingival index, and tooth mobility were recorded following careful sampling of GCF with a filter paper strip harvested for 3 minutes. Osteocalcin adsorbed on a strip was extracted in a plastic tube containing 150 microliters of 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5). GCF osteocalcin was determined by a newly-developed, high sensitive enzyme immunoassay which could recognize the N-terminal 20 residue peptide. In gingivitis patients, no significant amounts of osteocalcin were detected. In periodontitis patients, on the other hand, osteocalcin levels were detected, ranging between 0 and 540 pg/tube and positively correlated with these clinical parameters (P < 0.01). Moreover, in several sites in GI = 3 group, extremely higher levels of GCF osteocalcin were detected. These results strongly suggest that in addition to the presence of GCF osteocalcin the levels of osteocalcin may reflect the degree of the periodontal inflammation at the sampled sites.

The present study suggests that the educational program targeting oral function improvement is effective among the independent older population.

The effect of local administration of osteocalcin (OC) on experimental tooth movement was examined in the rat. The maxillary first molar was first moved mesially with an initial tipping force of 30 g with a closed-coil spring anchored to the incisor for 10 days (n = 48). Three experimental groups (n = 8) were injected with purified rat OC at doses of 0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms, respectively. The injection into the palatal bifurcation site of the first molar was repeated daily. The control groups (n = 8) were injected with rat serum albumin (10 micrograms), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), or were not injected. Tooth movement was evaluated daily by measuring the inter-cuspal distance between the first and the second molars on a precise plaster model. The cumulative tooth movement (mm) in the 1-microgram OC-injected groups was significantly more than that in all of the control groups on day 9. The rate of tooth movement (mm/day) showed periodical elevation, with high values on days 1, 4, 7, and 9. Acceleration of tooth movement by OC was significant in the early experimental period. Subsequently, acceleration of early tooth movement by OC was histologically evaluated (n = 40). Each of four animals from the control (PBS, n = 20) and the experimental (1 microgram OC, n = 20) groups was killed daily up to 5 days. A significantly larger number of osteoclasts accumulated on the mesial alveolar bone surface in the 1-microgram OC-injected group on day 3 than that observed in control group. These results suggest that administration of OC accelerates orthodontic tooth movement due to enhancement of osteoclastogenesis on the pressure side, primarily in the early experimental period.

Aim:  Mastication is an important function to maintain, not only for oral health, but also for quality of life. An easy‐to‐use method to evaluate the chewing ability of elderly people in any environment is necessary. Few studies have discussed the effectiveness of the masseter muscle by palpation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the availability of masseter muscle tension assessment methods by investigating its relationship with oral health status, and comparing it with other methods of assessing chewing ability. Methods:  This cross‐sectional study was carried out with 547 community‐dwelling elderly subjects (246 men and 301 women; mean age 73.8 ± 6.2 years) who participated in a comprehensive annual geriatric health examination in 2010 at Kusatsu, Gunma, Japan. Chewing ability was evaluated by masseter muscle tension palpation, differences of masseter muscle thickness, occlusal force, self‐reported chewing ability, and the number of remaining and functional teeth. Masseter muscle thickness was measured by ultrasonography. Results:  Masseter muscle thickness and occlusal force showed significant differences between males and females. The strength of masseter muscle tension palpation was significantly associated with men's occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness, the number of remaining and functional teeth, and self‐reported chewing ability (P < 0.05). Female participants showed a significant association with occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness, the number of remaining teeth, and self‐reported chewing ability and results of palpation (P < 0.05). Conclusion:  These results showed that the palpation of masseter muscle tension is a reliable and easy‐to‐use method to evaluate the chewing ability of elderly people. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 372–377.