Poor Oral Health Linked to Social Isolation in Elderly

A New York University study found that older adults with few social connections have more missing teeth and lose teeth at a faster rate than those with a variety of social connections and regular contact with others. Due to the global pandemic, the incidence of social isolation among the elderly has significantly increased as this group is at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, the study of more 4,200 Chinese adults ages 65 and older showed that the socially isolated participants were at greater risk for tooth loss even when factors such as oral hygiene, smoking, and drinking habits, were controlled. Click here to read more.