Does food insecurity, mental health affect oral health in older adults?
Investigators examined whether food insecurity and mental health may impact oral health in older adults.
In a cross-sectional study, published in Gerodontology, the investigators used the survey and dental screening data of 226 patients aged 50 years and older to analyze the relationships between food insecurity, mental health and oral health.
They found that more than 28% of the patients included in the study had food insecurity, more than 40% had untreated decay, more than 31% had periodontitis and more than 42% had unmet dental needs. Additionally, less than 60% of the patients with food insecurity had depressive symptoms.
The patients who reported food insecurity were more likely to have untreated decay, periodontitis and unmet dental needs compared with those who didn’t have food insecurity. However, the patients with food insecurity were not more likely to have untreated caries. Food insecurity-associated periodontitis was also more common among those who had lower cognitive impairment.
The investigators emphasized that addressing both food insecurity and cognitive impairment may improve oral health among older adults.
Read more: Gerodontology
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