The bacteria called gingivalis live in plaque. They travel through our blood and attach to weak areas in our organs or surgical sites, causing infections and inflammation. Therefore, they can be considered the most toxic and harmful bacteria in our bodies. What I am about to share is something that even dentists do not often discuss. Hello, I have been a dentist for 25 years, and I have been in practice for about 20 years. I also serve as the president of the Korean Senior Dental Society, conducting research on dental diseases and oral health for seniors over 50. My name is Jang Hyuk-jin. In terms of overall health, preventing inflammation in the teeth is crucial, meaning we need to stop harmful bacteria from growing in our mouths. This is important because, for example, in cases where someone has blocked coronary arteries, a stent is used to open them up.

In cases where procedures are performed, such as heart transplants or organ surgeries, it is not just a simple operation. Before surgery at a university hospital, patients are advised to first go to the dentist for a thorough scaling. Some people question why they need scaling before surgery. The reason is that the bacteria known as Porphyromonas gingivalis reside in the tartar in our mouths. If these bacteria remain, they can travel through the bloodstream and attach to weak areas or surgical sites in the body, leading to infections and inflammation. This is considered one of the most harmful and toxic bacteria in our bodies. There are associations between these infections and conditions such as dementia and heart disease.

Diabetes also increases the risk of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and pneumonia. In pregnant women, there can be premature births or stillbirths. Additionally, there are reports that male sexual dysfunction is closely related to these issues. This is not just my opinion; it has been proven through research over a long period. However, many people are unaware of this information and simply think, If the child doesn't have good teeth, I can just get implants later. But implants only assist in the function of the teeth; they cannot replicate the function of natural teeth, nor can they prevent the various systemic diseases I mentioned earlier. Therefore, to avoid systemic diseases and to live a healthy life in old age, it is crucial to prevent periodontal bacteria from growing in our mouths. Conditions such as stroke, dementia, and periodontal disease are all related.

Bacteria have a significant impact. When I go to provide dental care at nursing homes, I often meet elderly individuals with dementia. When I try to treat them, I find that most of them have lost their teeth, or they have dentures. There is a reason for this. First, when we chew well with our molars, it ensures a smooth supply of oxygen to the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex in our brain. However, for those who do not have molars, this process hardly occurs. You might wonder if getting implants would help, but that is not the case at all. The sensation is only transmitted through the periodontal ligaments that are attached to our teeth, and it is through this that oxygen supply is facilitated. In fact, studies show that if oxygen supply is not maintained over a long period, it can significantly affect the hippocampus, which is the main area associated with dementia. Ultimately, oxygen supply is crucial.

There are many reports indicating that it occurs without being realized and is related to various conditions. Secondly, I mentioned that the Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria travel through our bloodstream. As they circulate in our body, cytokines, which are inflammatory substances, are released, causing damage to the inner walls of blood vessels. You may have heard of cholesterol types, HDL and LDL. The harmful LDL cholesterol binds to cytokines, which can block blood vessels. This can lead to serious conditions such as aneurysms in the brain or, simply put, strokes. The risk of developing aneurysms and dementia is more than three times higher for individuals with periodontal disease compared to those without it. This research is not from dental studies but from medical studies. This shows just how harmful the Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria can be in relation to periodontal disease.

Moreover, not only that, but there is also a strong correlation between various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease with periodontal disease. People with periodontal disease have a one to two times higher chance of developing diabetes. Conversely, individuals with diabetes have nearly a three times higher chance of developing periodontal disease. To put it simply, diabetes can be viewed as a condition where blood circulation in the body is poor. As a result, the gums and bone do not receive adequate blood supply, causing the tissue to become weak and fragile. The problem with this is that it makes infections easier, allowing the bacteria that cause periodontitis to thrive in our mouths. Additionally, people with diabetes often experience worsening conditions repeatedly because the foods they tend to consume are usually sugary drinks. This happens because they feel weak, and due to their dental issues, they cannot eat well, leading them to rely on sugary beverages.

Eating noodles is convenient because you can slurp them down easily, but this actually causes blood sugar levels to rise, creating a vicious cycle. However, if you properly treat your gums and receive good implant treatment, you can eat foods that are beneficial for your blood sugar. What I mean by beneficial foods is that, strangely enough, most foods that are good for your blood sugar are those that people with poor health cannot eat. To put it simply, those who struggle with vegetables often complain about having to chew kimchi thoroughly; kimchi is hard to chew because it's tough. Therefore, people who have difficulty with vegetables find it hard to eat them. Conversely, if you take care of your teeth and are able to eat well, you may visit a university hospital, undergo a blood test, and the professors there will be astonished to see blood sugar levels rise to 300 in some cases.

When blood sugar suddenly drops, it's often because you've been eating foods that are good for your blood sugar. There is a significant correlation between diabetes and periodontal disease. The reason periodontal disease occurs is that food particles remain in the mouth. Even if you brush your teeth diligently three times a day, it can still worsen because food particles are not being effectively removed. To put it simply, the method of managing oral hygiene is incorrect. What I mean by that is, when we brush our teeth, we squeeze out some toothpaste and start brushing. However, most toothpastes are abrasive. After brushing, it feels refreshing, and you might think you've done a good job, but when you wake up the next day, you notice a lot of bad breath. The reason for this is that food particles are still present.

If food debris remains in your mouth, the bacteria will decompose it, leading to bad breath and deteriorating gum health. Therefore, it would be beneficial to learn effective ways to remove food particles from a dental professional. However, simply brushing your teeth will not keep your mouth clean. What I mean is, for example, when we do a thorough cleaning of our house, we don’t consider it finished after just running the vacuum cleaner once. To keep the house clean and free of dust, we ultimately need various cleaning tools. For instance, we need a duster to remove dust, and we also need to mop the floors. Just using a vacuum cleaner will not keep the house clean. The point I’m trying to make is that you cannot rely solely on brushing your teeth; you need to incorporate four different methods.

I emphasize that you must use the four tools: a toothbrush, interdental brushes, dental floss, and a water flosser. If you diligently use these four, it would be enough to put all dental clinics in South Korea out of business, as this is an extremely effective way to prevent periodontal disease. Think about washing a car and the order in which you use the four cleaning tools. The first step is not to start with the foam and wiping; rather, you begin with high-pressure water. The reason for this is that high-pressure water is the most efficient way to remove larger dirt and debris. The same principle applies here. First, if you clean thoroughly with high-pressure water, there are two advantages: first, a lot of food particles are removed—so much so that you would be surprised. Second, if you immediately use a toothbrush while there is still a lot of food in your mouth...

Toothbrushes can get dirty, so first, clean it thoroughly with a water flosser. After that, brush your teeth, and also use interdental brushes and floss. This way, the risk of periodontal disease is greatly reduced. As for the correct brushing technique, there are many videos available on YouTube that can serve as references. However, what I'm about to share is not often discussed by dentists. Typically, we talk about the 3-3-3 rule: brush within three minutes after eating, for three minutes, and three times a day. But many people don’t even brush for 30 seconds. The reason is that they wet the toothbrush first. The purpose of wetting it is to make it feel less abrasive, and then they squeeze out this much toothpaste, enough to fill the bristles.

When you brush your teeth vigorously, a lot of foam is produced because you use a lot of water and toothpaste. As a result, many people tend to brush their teeth carelessly, thinking their mouths feel clean. It's important to brush the sides of your teeth, the chewing surfaces, the inside of your teeth, your tongue, and even massage your gums. If you just brush like a storm for 30 seconds, your teeth won't be properly cared for, and food particles will remain in your mouth. Additionally, I change my toothbrush about every two weeks. While how long you use a toothbrush is important, many people don't take proper care of their toothbrushes. What I mean is that after brushing, they usually just leave the toothbrush in the sink.

We keep it this way because our bathroom has a very humid environment, and there is even a toilet inside. Naturally, bacteria can thrive in the toothbrush holder. Moreover, if there are a lot of food residues left inside, in some ways, the toothbrush itself can be dirtier than a sponge. No one would dare to put a sponge used at home in their mouth, but people thoughtlessly squeeze toothpaste onto their toothbrush and put it in their mouths. You absolutely should not manage it this way. After using the toothbrush, it’s best to wash it thoroughly and store it in a dry environment. For women, it’s common to keep it on the vanity, and men can store it outside the bathroom. If you manage it cleanly, you can probably replace it every month. Since Korean food typically contains chili powder, compared to Western food, the residues in the food can be more significant.

Food particles get stuck much more easily because red pepper powder is in a thin chip form, which particularly gets lodged in the gums. As these particles decompose, they can lead to dental diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to brush your teeth, use dental floss, interdental brushes, and oral irrigators to help remove food debris effectively, which can almost completely prevent dental diseases. As people age, the gaps between their teeth can widen. Those individuals should also use interdental brushes. Dental floss should be used from an early age. What this means is that permanent teeth, which are adult teeth, are actually tightly spaced together, while baby teeth have gaps between them. These gaps exist to make room for the permanent teeth that will come up underneath. In pediatric dentistry, the most common issues we see are food particles stuck between the teeth.

It leads to cavities forming in between. However, when parents are busy with work, they often cannot pay much attention to their children's dental care. Just once at night, if you can help them brush their teeth and clean in between with dental floss, you'll be surprised at how much food debris comes out from between children's teeth. It can actually be more than what comes out from adults because their teeth are spaced apart. If you can instill the habit of using dental floss from the beginning, children will not develop cavities or gum diseases, and parents can also reduce dental treatment costs for their kids. There is a study from ten years ago that quantifies the value of a single tooth in monetary terms, estimating it to be around 50 million won. While it might seem exaggerated that a single tooth could be worth that much, the cost of treating that tooth when it deteriorates can be significant.

There will be many people who think that once they get an implant, it will last a long time. Unfortunately, that's not the case. If not properly maintained, implants may need to be replaced every ten years. The costs associated with getting an implant, along with the time required to visit the hospital, contribute to significant socio-economic expenses. When you add it all up, it comes to about 50 million won. Since we have 28 teeth, if you multiply 50 million won by 28, it amounts to a considerable sum. Elderly individuals often worry about whether their children will live well. Instead of thinking about whether to buy them a house, it’s more important to instill good dental hygiene habits in children from a young age. Especially if one's own teeth are not in good condition, that can be inherited. It's essential to help children develop the habit of brushing their teeth from an early age, as that habit will be beneficial for them.

If you don't use dental care tools, you will feel frustrated, and because of this thought, you may not be able to use them. There is also this: when you tell your children to study without reading books, they tend not to follow that advice. The method is for you to read the books yourself. It's the same with dental care. Parents often show their children how they manage their teeth, and then the kids naturally follow suit from a young age. Some people proudly say, I've never been to the dentist in my life, and my teeth are fine. That's not because they managed their teeth well; they benefited from their parents' care. Some people say, My husband comes home drunk every day and his teeth are fine, while I work hard, but my teeth are always loose, bleeding, and swollen.

There are housewives, and that is genetics. If your grandparents had poor teeth and needed dentures, and if your parents also had poor teeth and needed implants, then those individuals likely suffered from periodontal disease. The reason for the occurrence of dental diseases is primarily due to the bacteria called gingivalis. However, people with hard gum bones are genetically predisposed to have good dental health. For those individuals, periodontal bacteria do not thrive well. Their gum bones are almost as hard as thick wood or concrete. Even those who have good gum bones may need implants due to accidents that cause fractures. When trying to implant in such individuals, if you drill a hole in the bone, you will find that the bone is too hard to drill through. However, conversely...

People with severe periodontitis often have very fragile jawbone tissue. Those who are easily infected by the bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis tend to have genetically weaker and more fragile jawbones. When individuals with genetically weak jawbones are affected by the toxic substances produced by these bacteria, their jawbone gradually deteriorates and recedes. As a result, their teeth may become loose and eventually fall out. For such individuals, it is crucial to maintain proper dental care and regularly visit the dentist for check-ups. Although they may have genetic predispositions that are not favorable, they can still maintain good oral health with proper care.

Essentially, many people neglect their dental hygiene. After social gatherings, where they consume kimchi stew and meat, they might come home and go straight to bed without brushing their teeth. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier regarding the 3-3-3 rule, it can be challenging to maintain good oral hygiene during the day while managing work responsibilities. So, it's important to remember that 3-3-3 rule.

It is not easy to maintain these habits. If you do not change your lifestyle, the likelihood of developing dental diseases will continue to increase. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to certain basics: brush your teeth three times a day, and even that may not be enough. You should also use various dental tools in conjunction. This might be a cliché, but for those who smoke, it is crucial to quit. I have rarely seen elderly individuals in good health who are smokers. You might wonder what damage smoking can cause, but first, smoking significantly reduces blood flow in the mouth. By the time you reach your sixties or seventies, your gum tissue can become fragile, leading to weakened teeth and eventually tooth loss. Lastly, consuming excessively tough and hard foods is also very detrimental.

There are things like dried squid, right? Chewing it up and down is actually okay. But when food gets stuck and you chew it side to side, that's not how we typically eat squid. We usually bite into it like this. Eating this way is considered the worst habit for dental care. You can tell right away if something gets stuck while eating; your sensitivity is really high. However, even though that sensitivity is acute, the bone in our gums, especially related to periodontal disease, is very dull. What I mean is, it's similar to cancer; symptoms only appear when it's almost at an advanced stage. With periodontal disease, for example, if your gums keep bleeding or if you used to chew hard chestnuts easily but now it feels like you can't bite down properly, that's a concern.

It seems to be a symptom that shouldn't be ignored. However, even with just these symptoms, when you actually go to the dentist, you might often hear, Now you need to have some work done. This indicates that our gum and bone health are quite poor. Many people describe their awareness of symptoms as feeling like something is wrong, like bleeding or a sense of looseness. What I mean is, for those with healthy gums, even when biting down hard, they feel nothing unusual. But for those with unhealthy gums, when they bite down, they might feel something is shifting, as if it's moving vertically. This is often described by older adults as a feeling of looseness, and that’s why it is referred to as periodontal disease, meaning there is a draft or air getting in. Therefore, when you are already aware of these symptoms, it is often too late. That’s why we have the National Health Insurance Corporation.

The reason why we recommend scaling through insurance treatment about once a year is that regular check-ups are really important. There are two medications that dentists particularly dislike, which are frequently advertised on TV. I can't mention the names of the medications, but you probably know what they are. Dentists dislike these medications because many people don't want to visit the dentist and end up taking those medications instead. However, it's not that these medications are completely ineffective; they do provide temporary relief. The problem is that, as I mentioned before, dental issues can be similar to a ticking time bomb. When you come to the dentist, you can receive early treatment, but if you wait until you're swollen, in pain, and bleeding, and find it uncomfortable to chew, you might avoid the dentist because you think it will be expensive and scary. This leads some people to take those medications, which is like cleaning up food scraps in the house after a meal.

There is leftover food like this. We should wash the dishes clean and put them away, but covering them with plastic just because it's bothersome is the same thing. It may be convenient at the moment, but over time, the food will rot and create chaos with bugs swarming around. You can think of it that way. It's not a fundamental solution at all. When we talk about medicine, for it to be effective, there must be side effects. What that means is that if there is an effect, it is dramatic, and conversely, there must be side effects for it to be an effective medicine. However, there are medications that you can buy at the pharmacy without a prescription, like the ones I mentioned earlier. What that means is that there are no side effects. The absence of side effects means there is no effectiveness. When you come to the dentist...

It's not as painful as you might think, and there are actually many treatments covered by health insurance, so the costs can be resolved with just a few tens of thousands of won. Therefore, I think it would be better not to take medication. How can we prevent and manage periodontal disease? It's not complicated; there are six methods, and the last one is to visit the hospital. It's not just the president who has a personal physician. Nowadays, dental clinics are very friendly, and it's great if you come in. Moreover, the scaling we do in your mouth is covered by insurance, so it doesn't cost much. It varies from person to person, but it generally ranges from 1,000 won to, at most, 15,000 won. You can receive treatment once a year under health insurance, so even if you just come to the hospital for scaling, it will save you from suffering as you get older. Please make sure to visit the hospital at least once a year for scaling; that is the most important thing, along with the other methods.

The five key points I want to share are, as I mentioned, brushing your teeth, using interdental brushes, flossing, and the pressure of the electric toothbrush. It’s really important to take care of these. The last point I want to emphasize, especially for seniors who have dental issues, is that keeping your mouth moist is crucial. What I mean is that as we age, saliva production decreases. We have three major salivary glands in our mouths, and the amount of saliva gradually diminishes. Conversely, if you look at newborns, you’ll notice they drool a lot. However, among those babies, you rarely see any with bad breath. The reason for this is that saliva contains an enzyme called lysozyme, which helps fight periodontal bacteria. As we age, the reason we frequently develop periodontal disease is due to this reduction in saliva.

It's because your mouth is dry. So, it's important to manage your mouth, brush your teeth often, and visit the hospital regularly. However, if you drink about 2 liters of water a day to keep your mouth from drying out, the periodontal bacteria won't thrive. If you just follow these six guidelines, as I explained, you'll be taking good care of your teeth. While earning money is important, preventing money from being spent unnecessarily is also a way to make money. If you take good care of your teeth, you can eat healthily and reduce unnecessary expenses.

"칫솔이 수세미보다 더 더러워지는 이유" 전신 건강까지 위협하는 치주 질환 예방하는 확실한 방법  | 장혁진 치과 전문의 (대한시니어치과학회 회장) 빅퀘스천 1부 #건강 #구강관리

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"칫솔이 수세미보다 더 더러워지는 이유" 전신 건강까지 위협하는 치주 질환 예방하는 확실한 방법 | 장혁진 치과 전문의 (대한시니어치과학회 회장) 빅퀘스천 1부 #건강 #구강관리

"칫솔이 수세미보다 더 더러워지는 이유" 전신 건강까지 위협하는 치주 질환 예방하는 확실한 방법 | 장혁진 치과 전문의 (대한시니어치과학회 회장) 빅퀘스천 1부 #건강 #구강관리

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