Change in nutrition intake and nutritional status of pre-elderly and elderly after denture wearing

Posterior tooth loss can cause disruption of mastication as well as affect nutrition intake and nutritional status of pre-elderly and elderly patients. Denture may improve mastication and nutritional intake. Previous studies on denture wearing with nutrition intake and nutritional status showed inconclusive results. We analyzed the relationship between tooth loss, denture wearing, nutrition intake, and nutritional status. An observational study was conducted on 32 patients (≥45 years old) at the Dental Hospital Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia. Oral examination was done. The Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form were used to measure nutrition intake (Kcal) and nutritional status (score 0-14) at baseline and after 4, 6, and 8 weeks of denture wearing. Significant differences were noted at baseline, and after 4, 6, and 8 weeks of denture wearing in mean nutrition intake (1895.34 ± 409.15, 1973.52 ± 395.16, 2016.70 ± 353.17, and 2022.89 ± 336.60 Kcal, respectively; P = 0.001) and in mean nutritional status score (9.75 ± 2.13, 11.78 ± 1.58, 11.94 ± 1.30, and 12.03 ± 1.38, respectively; P = 0.000). The difference between nutritional status at 4 and 8 weeks of denture wearing (P = 0.046) was also significant. Number of subjects at risk of malnutrition was reduced from 20 (62.5%) at baseline to 15 (47%) at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after denture wearing. Denture wearing improves nutritional intake and nutritional status of pre-elderly and elderly patients.