March 20th each year is World Oral Health Day, initiated by the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI), aiming to raise global awareness of oral disease prevention and control. This year's theme is: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.

The oral cavity is an important part of the human body and the beginning of the digestive system. It is mainly composed of the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, salivary glands, teeth, and maxillofacial bones. It has functions such as chewing, swallowing, speech, and sensation, and maintains the normal shape of the maxillofacial region. A person has two sets of teeth in their lifetime: one set of deciduous teeth (20) and one set of permanent teeth (28-32).

The Harms of Oral Diseases

1. Affects Mental and Psychological Health

For example, fluorosis, tetracycline teeth, incomplete tooth development, or oral malodor often make people shy to speak in social interactions, leading to a loss of confidence and psychological stress.

2. Affects Digestion and Absorption

Since the oral cavity is the entrance to the digestive system, oral diseases such as pulpitis and periodontitis cause toothache and loosening, leading to inadequate chewing of food. Swallowing food whole not only increases the burden on the stomach but also directly affects the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Over time, this can lead to poor nutrient metabolism in the body.

3. Affects Facial Development and Appearance

The normal chewing force of the teeth is transmitted to the jawbone through the tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and facial muscles to develop normally. Teeth and jawbones support facial soft tissues like pillars. If unilateral occlusion occurs due to dental disease, disuse atrophy will occur on the other side, resulting in facial asymmetry. In addition, after tooth loss, the jawbone atrophies, and the cheek area collapses due to loss of support, resulting in wrinkles and an aged appearance. Missing teeth are also unsightly.

4. Affects or Aggravates Lesions of Other Organs

For example, periodontitis and apical periodontitis, if not treated effectively for a long time, can become foci of infection. Bacteria in the oral cavity can directly spread or be aspirated (swallowed) into related systems (such as the lungs and stomach), causing diseases, and can also cause bacteremia through the bloodstream.

5. Induces Cardiovascular Diseases

Pathogenic bacteria in oral diseases and their toxins can invade the blood, producing related antibodies and agglutinins, aggravating or causing acute or subacute infective endocarditis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and other heart diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for acute coronary heart disease and is significantly associated with acute onset or overall mortality. In addition, periodontitis can also induce ischemic stroke. Periodontitis has become a risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Studies have shown that periodontitis is a greater risk factor for stroke than smoking and is independent of other known risk factors.

6. Affects Growth and Development

Reduced chewing function can cause picky eating and loss of appetite, leading to weakened gastrointestinal digestion and absorption, malnutrition, and impaired growth and development. Long-term unilateral chewing can also affect facial asymmetry.

7. Impact on Pregnant Women and Fetuses

Current research shows that periodontal disease is one of the risk factors for low birth weight infants. The risk of premature birth and low birth weight infants in pregnant women with severe periodontitis is 7.5 times higher than that in pregnant women with normal periodontal health, greater than the impact of smoking and drinking on low birth weight infants.

How to Protect Oral Health

1. Oral Protection for Children

Brush your teeth morning and night; use fluoride toothpaste; brush for at least two minutes each time; spit out the foam after brushing, do not rinse; see a dentist regularly, and reduce sugary drinks.

2. Oral Protection for Middle-aged and Elderly People

Develop good oral hygiene habits; reduce the risk of falls; enjoy healthy foods; avoid dry mouth.

3. Oral Protection During Pregnancy

Regular oral health checkups during pregnancy; rinse immediately after vomiting, then apply fluoride toothpaste to your teeth, or use fluoride mouthwash, wait at least thirty minutes before brushing; maintain good oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; maintain a balanced diet and reduce sugar intake.

4. Oral Protection for Infants and Young Children

After each feeding, gently wipe the baby's gums with a clean, damp gauze or soft cloth; only breast milk, formula, milk, and water should be in the bottle, not sugary drinks, sugary milk, or sugar water; break the thumb-sucking habit, do not use pacifiers or sippy cups; do not let the baby fall asleep with a bottle.