The impact of oral health on diet among the ageing population in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: In older adults, there are many factors that determine dietary intake. Examples of such factors include an individual's socio-economic status, physical well-being, and general state of health. Another crucial factor is dental status. The aim of this study was to explore how dental status impacts perceived ability to eat particular foods, and nutrient intake of older adults in the Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study conducted an analysis of the sample gathered from Saudi Demographic and Health Survey. The data was collected from an online food frequency questionnaire. Data related to health behaviour, general and oral health information, and socio-economic data were collected using an online questionnaire. The Oral health status was assessed clinically. Participants in the 60 years and above age category (n = 326) were attended to clinical examination and (n =275) of them completed all elements of the study. To analyse the cross-sectional link between nutrient intake, food selection, and dental status, multiple regression methods were performed. Results: The participants’ mean age was 70.29 years (range 60-104) with a SD of 8.71. (62.6%) of them had 20 or more teeth, 25.2% had less than 20 teeth, and 9.5% were edentulous. Participants with no dentures constituted the largest group (78.8.6%) that mean most of participants have natural teeth or edentulous without dentures. (70.8%) only visit the dentist when there is a problem. The mean DMFT for older adults was 15.5 with SD of 9.4. The edentulous participants compared with the dentate were more likely to report having difficulty eating foods for all 15 foods listed. There were significant difference having difficulty eating food when 95% CI between all 15 foods and all number of teeth groups except for cheese, there was no significant deference between people with 1-19 teeth and 20 or more teeth. Also, findings demonstrate that edentate, denture wearing seniors consume lower levels of important nutrients which are protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and fat, also calories intake compare to dentate people. However, the edentulous people not wearing any dentures were consume higher nutrients than denture wearing older adult. The subjects with natural teeth and no dentures generally had an energy intake greater than that recommended by the US government 2513.6 compared with 2000 Kcal. This was mirrored in terms of major dietary constituents with protein intake of 111.9g compared with 57g and carbohydrate intake at 341.5g compared with 130g. This population was relatively unusual in achieving the recommended intake of dietary fibre 29.2g compared with 28g In contrast, the other participants (Teeth and partial denture, Teeth and complete denture in one jaw and edentulous with complete denture, and Edentulous and have no denture) with compromised oral function had lower than recommended energy intake 1244.3 – 1628.2 Kcal and dietary fiber intake (15.5-21.3 g). Their protein intake was close to the dietary recommendation with participants with full dentures consuming on average 51.9g, and or the edentulous without dentures and people wearing partial dentures 69.6g and 67.5g respectively. In addition, for carbohydrates all participants were over the recommended goal. There were no observed differences between groups in relation to perceived ability to eat and consume nutrition after socio-demographic and health behavioural had been adjusted except for age groups. Conclusion: In this older adult sample, it can be concluded that weakened dental status has a possible influence on foods that individuals choose to eat, and consequently, the consumption of crucial nutrients. Therefore, future studies could concentrate on the development of dental interventions together with dietary counselling. This is likely to encourage individuals in this high-risk population group to embrace h