Association of Denture Use and Chewing Ability with Cognitive Function Analysed Using Panel Data from Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2018).

This study aimed to investigate the association between denture use, chewing ability, and cognitive function in Korean middle-aged adults, using samples representing middle-aged people at the national level. This longitudinal study included 9998 middle-aged adults using the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging 7th special survey data. Denture use, chewing ability, health-related factors, and general characteristics were assessed using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview. After controlling for general characteristics using a generalized estimating equation model, the association of denture use and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores with the chewing ability of those with or without dentures and MMSE scores were analysed. Among them, 24% of participants wore dentures, and 35.1% complained of difficulty chewing when wearing dentures. Among the participants who did not wear dentures, 16.4% complained of difficulty chewing. MMSE scores were lower among denture wearers than non-denture wearers (β = -0.026, p < 0.001). In both groups, MMSE scores decreased with chewing difficulty and were significantly reduced among non-denture wearers ( p < 0.05). Chewing ability was closely associated with cognitive functioning. Therefore, in order to prevent cognitive decline, chewing discomfort while wearing dentures must be eliminated, and oral health must be maintained.