Objective: To examine the relationship between bite force and stimulated salivary flow rate in older adults.
Study design: The study sample consisted of 934 independent-living, cognitively healthy Japanese older adults 60 to 84 years of age. The maximal bite force was measured with pressure-sensitive sheets, and stimulated whole saliva was collected using the mastication method.
Results: The mean stimulated salivary flow rate was 1.36 +/- 0.97 mL/min. In bivariate analysis, the stimulated salivary flow rate was significantly lower in females and subjects with daily multiple medications (P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the stimulated salivary flow rate was significantly associated with sex (standardized partial regression coefficient: partial beta = .22; P < .001), bite force (partial beta = .18; P < .001), and multiple daily medications (partial beta = -.12; P < .001).
Conclusions: It is suggested that reduced bite force is associated with a decline in stimulated whole salivary flow rate independent of sex and medication in older adults.