title: Postural stability and occlusal status among Japanese elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are still no data available on the relationship between postural stability and occlusal status among the elderly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine relationships between postural stability and occlusal status through a cohort study among elderly Japanese.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral examination, occlusal status, postural stability and a questionnaire were conducted and given to 87 community-dwelling Japanese at enrolment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average occlusal pressure of the female group was statistically higher than the male group while average occlusal pressure and postural stability length were lesser in the group with more remaining teeth. Postural stability area and number of remaining teeth showed statistically significant correlations. Postural stability length was lesser in the group with strong occlusal force. Furthermore, the number of decayed teeth was fewer in the good hygiene group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified a close relationship between occlusal status and postural stability of Japanese older individuals. Occlusal hypofunction was observed more in those with occlusal problems, and a decrease in their occlusal functions resulted in postural instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shikata-cho, Okayama City, Japan.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song-Yu
authors.forename: Omar M M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Rodis
authors.forename: Sagiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Can-Hu
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Seishi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001732:Bite Force; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000503:physiopathology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003817:Dentition; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007564:Japan; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000503:physiopathology