Immunologcal effect of professional oral health care on the elderly requiring long-term care

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Objective. We evaluated 1) the relationship among immunity to oral bacteria, nutrition, and infection, and 2) the immunological and nutritional effectiveness of professional oral health care (POHC) to elderly persons requiring long-term care in hospital.Study design. 1) Elderly subjects with POHC and without POHC in a mental hospital were examined for 3 months.2) The mental symptom (PANSS, LASMI), NK activity, serum albumin, and oral status were compared between the POHC group and the non-POHC group. 3) After 3 months intervention, we evaluated above.Results. We did not find significant differences in mental symptoms (PANSS, LASMI), NK activity, and serum albumin The amounts of methylmercaptan exhaled by the POHC group were significantly less than those of the non-POHC group (P<.05).Conclusion. This study showed that POHC for 3 months to elderly requiring long-term care was not associated with mental and immunological status but with a reduction in bad breath. The reduction in bad breath may contribute to promoting of social activity for elderly requiring long-term care.