AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN ORAL SENSATION

Oral sensation (including two-point discrimination, oral stereognosis, vibrotactile detection, somesthetic sensitivity, proprioception, and thermal sensitivity) was studied in 60 healthy adults in five age categories: 20 to 34, 35 to 49, 50 to 64, 65 to 79, and 80 years and above. Thermal and somesthetic sensitivity as well as proprioception did not change with age. Ability to differentiate tactile and vibratory sensation on the lip decreased after age 80 (P < .01), but vibration detection on the soft palate did not change. Stereognostic ability remained good up to age 80, and then declined for four of the nine shapes tested (P < .01). Two-point discrimination deteriorated on the upper lip (P < .01), on the cheeks (P < .02), and on the lower lip (P < .06). Two-point discrimination on the tongue and palate did not change. It was noted that oral sensation remained good with aging, showing only a slight decline in function after age 80.