J Agric Med Community Health.  2015 Sep;40(3):158-170. 10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.3.158.

Effects of Oral Exercise on Oral Function and Denture Satisfaction of the Elderly

• Kim JY
• Moon WS
• Lee KS
• Hwang TY

• KMID: 2177971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.3.158

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of oral exercise on oral function and denture satisfaction of the elderly using dentures.
METHODS
The study was conducted with targets of the elderly in the 13 senior community centers in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do from September 2013 to April 2014. The study subjects were divided into two groups, the intervention group provided with 8 week oral exercise program and the control group without exercise. The data on oral function, denture satisfaction and oral health related quality of life (OHIP-14) were analyzed among the 79 subjects from the intervention group and the 71 subjects from the control group.
RESULTS
For oral function, salivary flow rate, mouth opening, pronunciation and salty taste were significantly improved in the intervention group (p<0.01). There were significant differences in salivary flow rate, mouth opening, pronunciation and salty taste between the two groups (p<0.01). For denture satisfaction, there were significant differences in masticatory function, fixing function, general treatment satisfaction and total denture satisfaction between the two groups (p<0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups in the total points of oral health related quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Oral exercise was effective in improving oral function and denture satisfaction of the elderly using dentures. To improve oral health related quality of life of the elderly further researches and programs will be necessary.

Keyword

Denture; Oral health; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Dentures*
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Humans
Mouth
Oral Health
Quality of Life