Study: Poor oral health linked to decreased quality of life

Among the key findings put forth by this study was the fact that 47.8 per cent of older Chinese Americans reported having teeth symptoms; participants who reported teeth symptoms at baseline experienced their global cognition and episodic memory decline. Another 18.9 per cent older Chinese Americans reported gum symptoms. 15.6 per cent of them reported teeth and gum symptoms with 25.5 per cent reporting dry mouth. More perceived stress was associated with higher odds of dry mouth.

"In our study, the prevalence rate of dry mouth is followed by diabetes and heart disease. Our findings demonstrate the importance of studying the linkage between stress and dry mouth in this vulnerable population." said author Weiyu Mao, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Nevada, Reno.

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