Correlating age-related oral and overall muscle weakness

With age, individuals suffer decreases in the strength of their muscles as a result of sarcopenia. This includes decreases in the strength of the muscles involved in swallowing function. The result is a delayed swallowing reflex, insufficient opening of the cricopharyngeal muscle, and atrophy or muscle composition changes in the suprahyoid muscle. Orally, sarcopenia decreases the thickness of the tongue muscles and is an independent risk factor for dysphagia. Tongue pressure during swallowing is also diminished, which further affects swallowing.
Source: Dental Abstracts - Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research