Chauncey H H, Muench M E, Kapur K K, Wayler A H
Int Dent J. 1984 Jun;34(2):98-104.
Human food selection is dependent on a complex interaction of biological, environmental, cultural and behavioural influences. Numerous studies have provided evidence that food choice is guided neither by physiologic need nor item availability. The widespread prevalence of tooth loss seen in the elderly and the impact of impaired masticatory ability on food selection patterns is often overlooked. Available information suggests that declining masticatory function is, in a large part, responsible for the elderly consuming predominantly soft, easy to chew foods, which, in turn, can induce poor dietary practices and marginal nutritional intakes. It appears that with appreciable tooth loss there is a related decline in masticatory function; significant alterations also take place in certain perceptual and sensory measures. Generally, these perceptual changes reflect alterations in taste and texture preferences; phenomena which persist even after appropriate restorative dental therapy for missing teeth, with either removable partial or complete dentures. It has long been known that full denture wearers experience a reduction in flavour perception after the insertion of their prostheses. In the elderly the generalized decrease in ability to enjoy food has, in part, been attributed to flavour disturbances associated with their dentures. Whether the sensory loss is, to a large degree, due to the prostheses, or primarily reflects age-associated changes in the gustatory and olfactory receptors, is still being explored. The information presented suggests that persons with impaired dentitions , both with and without a dental prosthesis, may impose upon themselves certain dietary restrictions which, in time, can compromise their nutritional status and ultimately place them at health risk.
人类的食物选择取决于生物、环境、文化和行为影响的复杂相互作用。众多研究已提供证据表明，食物选择既不受生理需求也不受食物可得性的引导。老年人中普遍存在的牙齿缺失现象以及咀嚼能力受损对食物选择模式的影响常常被忽视。现有信息表明，咀嚼功能下降在很大程度上导致老年人主要食用柔软、易于咀嚼的食物，而这反过来又可能导致不良的饮食习惯和营养摄入不足。似乎随着牙齿大量缺失，咀嚼功能会相应下降；某些感知和感觉指标也会发生显著变化。一般来说，这些感知变化反映了味觉和质地偏好的改变；即使在对缺失牙齿进行适当的修复性牙科治疗（使用可摘局部义齿或全口义齿）后，这些现象仍然存在。长期以来，人们都知道全口义齿佩戴者在戴上假牙后会出现味觉感知下降的情况。在老年人中，享受食物能力的普遍下降部分归因于与假牙相关的味觉障碍。这种感觉丧失在很大程度上是由于假牙，还是主要反映了味觉和嗅觉受体与年龄相关的变化，仍在探索之中。所提供的信息表明，无论有无假牙，牙列受损的人可能会给自己施加某些饮食限制，久而久之，这可能会损害他们的营养状况并最终使他们面临健康风险。
