Oral health in geroscience: animal models and the aging oral cavity

Abstract

Age is the single greatest risk factor for many diseases, including oral diseases. Despite this, a majority of preclinical oral health research has not adequately considered the importance of aging in research aimed at the mechanistic understanding of oral disease. Here, we have attempted to provide insights from animal studies in the geroscience field and apply them in the context of oral health research. In particular, we discuss the relationship between the biology of aging and mechanisms of oral disease. We also present a framework for defining and utilizing age-appropriate rodents and present experimental design considerations, such as the number of age-points used and the importance of genetic background. While focused primarily on rodent models, alternative animal models that may be particularly useful for studies of oral health during aging, such as companion dogs and marmoset monkeys, are also discussed. We hope that such information will aid in the design of future preclinical studies of geriatric dental health, thus allowing more reliability for translation of such studies to age-associated oral disease in people.

Saúde bucal de idosos com 80 anos ou mais: condição, autopercepção e utilização de serviços odontológicos

“…A manutenção ou perda dental em idades avançadas estão relacionadas a fatores socioeconômicos, condições de saúde e estilo de vida. Nos idosos com 80 e mais anos, a cárie continua sendo a principal razão de perda dental 3,4,16 . Hábitos de higiene bucal podem influenciar a presença de placa bacteriana, havendo relação entre frequência de escovação com número de dentes.…”

“…Ainda, diminuição da força oclusal e hipossalivação também influenciam negativamente a performance mastigatória e a qualidade de vida do idoso. A boca seca tem sido relatada como manifestação relacionada ao efeito colateral de medicamentos 18 , condição ocasionada por outras comorbidades relacionadas à idade 3,19 . Idosos com baixos níveis de secreção salivar podem apresentar prejuízos funcionais: paladar, fala e dificuldades para mastigar e deglutir os alimentos 20 .…”

“…Além do esforço para deslocar até o consultório, muitos não acreditam no benefício, exceto nos casos de dor ou desconforto 3,7 .…”

The Spectrum of Fundamental Basic Science Discoveries Contributing to Organismal Aging

“…On the other hand, positive effects of rapamycin have been found in cancellous bone of old rats and mice . Rapamycin also attenuates alveolar bone loss in old female C57BL6/JNia mice . Administration of everolimus, another mTOR inhibitor, reduces the loss of bone mass in the ovariectomy model due to an inhibitory effect on bone resorption .…”

“…(95,96) Rapamycin also attenuates alveolar bone loss in old female C57BL6/JNia mice. (97) Administration of everolimus, another mTOR inhibitor, reduces the loss of bone mass in the ovariectomy model due to an inhibitory effect on bone resorption. (98,99) Genetic evidence for a role of mTOR in aging is provided by the findings that mice deficient in S6K1 (a main mTORC1 substrate) are long-lived and exhibit improved healthspan including higher bone mass, when compared to control mice, at 21 months of age.…”