Background and objective: Oral condition is closely related with systemic health. Oral function directly affects dietary intake, and tasty food intake is an essential function to live; however, scientific data about the association between taste decline and oral health is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship sensitivity of umami, one of five tastes, and oral condition. Materials and
Methods: Subjects were recruited from January 2018 to June 2021 in Kanagawa Dental University Hospital. Taste inspection with a whole mouth method was performed using tap water, 1% sweet water, 0.3% salty water, and low (0.03%) and high (0.1%) concentration of umami water. Lifestyle habits like miss a meal were asked and clinical tests for oral functions were performed. The study was approved by the Kanagawa Dental University Ethical Review Committee (No. 801).
Results: There was no difference of age according to recognition of umami. Those who could not recognize low concentration of umami water had a tendency of decreased residual teeth. Recognition of umami was associated with occluding area, oral diadochokinesis, and salt recognition. Those who regularly missed a meal had impaired umami recognition.
Conclusion: This study suggests that diminished umami recognition was related with reduction of occluding surface area and lowered tongue and lip motor function. Impaired oral functions were found in the subjects with insufficient recognition of tastes.
