Association between tongue and lip motor functions and mixing ability in complete denture wearers.

BACKGROUND

Masticatory performance of elderly complete denture wearers is low, which may lead to restriction on intakes of several foods such as fresh fruit or raw vegetables.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tongue motor function, lip motor function, and mixing ability in complete denture wearers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants comprised 54 complete denture wearers with a mean age of 77.1 years. Maximum tongue pressure and oral diadochokinesis were measured to evaluate tongue and lip motor functions. A color-changeable, chewing gum was used to evaluate mixing ability. The relationship between tongue and lip motor functions and mixing ability was assessed using stepwise multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The stepwise multiple regression analysis identified maximum tongue pressure, the number of repetitions of the syllable "ka", and gender as significant predictors for mixing ability among complete denture wearers.

DISCUSSION

The elderly edentulous individuals mainly used tongue motor function in oral motor functions for mixing color-changeable chewing gums, which might be ascribable to wearing complete dentures.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the limited conditions of this study, factors relating to tongue motor function, tongue pressure and the number of repetitions of the syllable "/ka"/ significantly contributed to the mixing ability of complete denture wearers. It was suggested that tongue motor function had positive effect on the mixing ability of complete denture wearers.