06Apr 2022
Maintaining oral health for a hundred years and more? - An analysis of microbial and salivary factors in a cohort of centenarians

Maintaining oral health for a hundred years and more? - An analysis of microbial and salivary factors in a cohort of centenarians

To investigate associations between oral health-related conditions and the oral microbiome in a representative study sample of centenarians. Clinical and microbial parameters from 54 centenarians were assessed in the Heidelberg Dental Centenarian Study. The presence of natural teeth mainly influenced the diversity and structure of the oral microbiome and the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (0.028 ≤ p ≤ 0.001 in plaque and salivary samples). Most centenarians presented hyposalivation (mean stimulated flow rate = 0.84 ± 0.55 ml/min), a low buffering capacity, and an acidic pH. The microbiome diversity correlated significantly with successful oral ageing. In addition, regular dental visits were a beneficial factor. However, hyposalivation can negatively influence diversity associated with pH changes due to ageing effects.

  • #dentistry

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