Masticatory function in elderly - IALP 2025 Innovation and Inspiration in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Purpose:To characterize the masticatory function of the elderly and to compare total amount of time, masticatory strokes and total mastication score among the elderly and young adults. Theoretical background:The number of elderly people in the population increases over the years1 and aging causes several changes in the human body. The elderly perform a greater amount of masticatory cycles and take longer to masticate, leading to reduced masticatory performance2.Research Methods: It is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study, approved by the Ethics Committee, under protocol number 2.380.411. A total of 50 individuals participated, 25 elderly (mean age 66 years) and 25 young adults (mean age 22 years). The evaluation of mastication was performed by standardized filming of the usual mastication of a wheat flour biscuit. The masticatory type, masticatory score, total masticatory time and the total number of masticatory strokes were verified and compared between the elderly and young adults. Findings:The predominant masticatory pattern in the young adults was the alternated bilateral mastication (52%), while, in the elderly, the simultaneous bilateral mastication predominated (48%). The use of dental prostheses had a significant influence on the total mastication score; elderly presented greater masticatory time and greater amount of masticatory strokes; however, the total masticatory score was lower for this group.Discussion: This finding demonstrates that elderly perform adaptations of the masticatory function by means of vertical movements of the mandible, being in accordance with other studies. The use of dental prosthesis has a significant influence on masticatory function.When compared to young adults, the elderly had a greater amount of time and masticatory strokes and a lower total mastication score.

References:

1.Sisko, A. M., Keehan, S. P., Cuckler, G. A., Madison, A. J., Smith, S. D., Wolfe, C. J., Stone, D. A., Lizonitz, J. M., & Poisal, J. A. (2014). National health expenditure projections, 2013-23: faster growth expected with expanded coverage and improving economy. Health affairs (Project Hope), 33(10), 1841–1850. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0560

2.Zhu, Y., & Hollis, J. H. (2015). Differences in chewing behaviors between healthy fully dentate young and older adults assessed by electromyographic recordings. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 66(4), 452–457. https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2015.1038222