Oral health plays a pivotal role in individuals’ overall health and well-being, impacting various aspects of life beyond just dental health. It is increasingly recognized that preserving oral health minimizes the necessity for oral rehabilitation in later years and lowers the likelihood of developing numerous systemic conditions. Consequently, dedicating resources to enhance oral hygiene offers significant advantages for older adults. Nevertheless, the extent to which the advantages of improved oral health permeate into psychological aspects remains to be fully understood.
The positive correlation between psychological well-being and increased survival rates across healthy and ailing groups underscores the importance of identifying determinants of subjective well-being. This pursuit involves assessing the quality of life metrics such as satisfaction with life, interests, and overall happiness.
In this context, research spearheaded by Senior Assistant Professor Noriko Takeuchi of the Department of Preventive Dentistry at Okayama University Hospital, alongside collaborators Dr Daisuke Ekuni, Dr Nanami Sawada, and Dr Manabu Morita, has shed light on the impact of oral health on the subjective well-being of older adults, emphasizing its indirect effects through nutritional status and environmental factors. Their groundbreaking work, published in PLOS ONE on November 28, 2023, delves into the intricate relationships between oral health and psychological well-being.
The research team embarked on an exploratory journey, assessing various oral health conditions, including bacterial presence on the tongue and chewing and swallowing capabilities, among elderly patients at a dental clinic within Okayama University Hospital. Their investigation extended to how these oral health parameters correlate with the participants’ self-reported psychological well-being, taking into account their nutritional status and environmental factors such as social interactions, lifestyle habits, and medical history.
Dr Takeuchi articulated the study’s motivation to bridge the gaps in scientific knowledge concerning the nexus between oral health and psychological well-being. By examining the interplay between individual and environmental characteristics, oral health, and nutritional status, the study aimed to enrich our understanding of their collective impact on the subjective well-being of older adults.
The study’s conclusions highlight the intertwined relationship between oral health and nutritional status, subsequently affecting older adults’ subjective well-being. The condition of one’s mouth significantly influences one’s dietary choices and, by extension, one’s nutritional intake and health outcomes. “Enhancing oral health can lead to better nutritional status, which, in turn, may bolster subjective psychological well-being,” Dr. Takeuchi remarked.
Furthermore, the research underscores a reciprocal relationship between oral health and individuals’ social and personal environments. This dynamic suggests that poor social connections, often linked to psychological stress, can lead to unhealthy habits that exacerbate dental issues. The study also draws attention to the interconnection between environmental characteristics and nutritional status, proposing that oral health’s influence on subjective well-being, while indirect, is mediated through nutritional or ecological pathways.
Amidst Japan’s rapidly ageing demographic, the focus on senior care is intensifying. This study offers vital insights into the broader implications of oral health on mental well-being, advocating for healthcare investments in dental health to enhance the quality of life in older age. Despite acknowledging the limitations of their cross-sectional study, Dr. Takeuchi emphasizes the potential long-term benefits of good oral health on psychological well-being, underscoring the study’s significance in promoting health and happiness among older adults.
More information: Noriko Takeuchi et al, Association between oral condition and subjective psychological well-being among older adults attending a university hospital dental clinic: A cross-sectional study, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295078
Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by Okayama University
