Older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to have missing teeth and to lose their teeth more quickly over time compared to those with more social interaction!
Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are major public health concerns around the world and are risk factors for heart disease, mental health disorders, cognitive decline, and premature death. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues among older adults, as many in-person interactions have been interrupted to protect older adults from infection.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,268 adults aged 65 and up. The participants completed surveys at three different time points over the course of 7 years which captured measures of social isolation and loneliness, how many teeth people had and lost, and other factors. The researchers found that higher levels of social isolation were associated with having fewer teeth and losing teeth more quickly over time, even when controlling for other factors such as oral hygiene, health status, smoking and drinking, and loneliness. Older adults who were socially isolated had, on average, 2.1 fewer natural teeth and 1.4 times the rate of losing their teeth than those with stronger social ties.
The findings highlight the importance of developing interventions to reduce social isolation. Programs could aim to foster intergenerational support within families and improve older adults' peer and social connections within their local communities!
For more information, read the article below!
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdoe.12727
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