The effects of improved oral hygiene on taste perception and nutrition of the elderly.

An experimental group of 12 elderly institutionalized subjects received professional oral hygiene therapy three times weekly for 5 weeks while a control group of 11 received only placebo treatment. The experimental group responded with significantly improved ability to detect sweet and salty tastes but not sour or bitter tastes. No change in taste perception was observed in the controls. Initially, nutrient intake of both groups was suboptimal, especially for folacin. After the treatment period, the intake of calories, hematocrits, hemoglobins, and plasma ascorbic acid concentrations of both groups were satisfactory; plasma proteins were slightly low; plasma folates were at deficiency levels. No change in these blood measurements occurred in either group. It is concluded that improved oral hygiene can enhance taste acuity but that taste perception is only one factor determining nutrient intake.