The effects of improved oral hygiene on the nutrition of 23
elderly institutionalized men and women were investigated. An experimental
group of 12 received professional oral hygiene treatments
three times weekly for a period of five weeks, while a control group
of 11 received only placebo work. Changes in taste perception, nutrient
intake, and selected blood parameters were measured.
Improved oral hygiene appeared to be responsible for increases
in taste acuity. There were significantly more experimental
than control subjects who showed improved ability to detect sweet,
sour, and salty tastes, and improved identification thresholds for
sweet and salty tastes.
The nutrient intake of many of the subjects fell below the
recommended dietary allowances for this age group, especially for
folate. No significant dietary improvement was directly attributable to improved oral hygiene. However, at the end of the five-week
period, both groups showed significant increases in their mean
dietary calories, protein, calcium, vitamin A, and riboflavin. In
addition, the diet of the experimental group increased significantly
in iron and thiamin. The dietary improvement appeared to be associated
with the psychological effect of frequent professional attention.
No significant improvements in blood parameters were shown
by either group as a result of the treatment. However, significantly
more experimental than control subjects showed an increase in
hemoglobin concentration, plasma protein, and plasma ascorbic
acid. Low plasma folate concentrations were found in all subjects
and there was no folate response to either treatment. / Graduation date: 1975
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/26965 |
| Date | 14 June 1974 |
| Creators | Langan, Michael Joseph |
| Contributors | Yearick, Elisabeth S. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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