September 20, 2023, marks the 35th National Love Teeth Day. This year's theme is "Oral Health, Whole Body Health," with the subtitle "Caring for Elderly Oral Health, Enjoying a Healthy Life." Experts from the Medical Care Center of the Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of China Medical University stated that many people don't consider oral diseases to be illnesses, but this is incorrect. Oral diseases can threaten overall health. Therefore, everyone should undergo regular oral health checkups to maintain their overall health.

　　Next, the expert will explain using examples of digestive system diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic disorders (using diabetes as an example), nervous system diseases, immune system diseases (using rheumatoid arthritis as an example), and respiratory system diseases.

　　(1) Oral Health and Digestive System Diseases

　　Digestive diseases are common among the elderly. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a major causative factor in chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, and is closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. It is classified by the World Health Organization as a class 1 biological carcinogen. The mouth is another aggregation site for Hp. The detection rate of Helicobacter pylori in the plaque of patients with periodontitis is significantly higher than that in those with healthy periodontal tissues. After basic periodontal treatment, the detection rate of Hp decreased significantly. In patients with loose or missing teeth, food cannot be properly ground, which will inevitably increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and potentially increase the probability of digestive diseases.

　　(2) Oral Health and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

　　Cardiovascular disease is a common disease that seriously threatens human health, characterized by high morbidity, high disability rate, and high mortality rate. There is a certain relationship between oral diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Periodontal infection can cause acute or subacute infective endocarditis, and severe periodontal disease can increase the incidence of coronary heart disease. Pulp infection and periodontitis are also independent risk factors for arteriosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and especially ischemic stroke.

　　With poor oral hygiene, a large number of bacteria or viruses often repeatedly enter the bloodstream, causing damage to blood vessels. Microorganisms can also increase blood viscosity and increase the risk of thrombus formation. In addition, severe pain or infection in the mouth can also cause blood pressure and heart rate to rise, putting more strain on the heart and thus increasing the risk of serious complications in patients with cardiovascular disease.

　　(3) Oral Health and Diabetes

　　Diabetes is the third leading disease seriously affecting human health, and it mutually influences periodontitis. Patients with diabetes are more prone to periodontal disease, and the disease is more severe. Patients with diabetes need to pay attention to the treatment of periodontal diseases. When blood glucose metabolic levels are poorly controlled, patients with diabetes are prone to infections in the periodontal tissues of the oral cavity, which will further increase the difficulty of controlling blood glucose levels. If periodontal tissue infection can be effectively controlled and periodontal tissue health maintained, it can significantly improve the individual's blood glucose metabolic control level and reduce insulin dosage.

　　(4) Oral Health and Nervous System Diseases

　　Middle-aged people with periodontal disease are more likely to develop dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The probability of cognitive problems in patients with severe infections that lead to tooth loss is twice that of ordinary people.

　　(5) Oral Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis

　　Periodontitis/tooth loss and rheumatoid arthritis have a certain correlation. In patients with periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis, a large number of inflammatory cells circulate from the whole body to the target tissues (gingival mucosa or synovial membrane), amplifying the local immune response. Inconvenience and dysfunction of the upper limbs will reduce hand flexibility, increasing the difficulty of maintaining oral hygiene, and consequently increasing the risk of caries, chronic periodontitis, and tooth loss.

　　(6) Oral Health and Respiratory System Diseases

　　Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the second leading chronic non-communicable disease globally and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. There is a certain correlation between oral diseases and COPD. The incidence of respiratory diseases in individuals with poor oral hygiene is 1.3 times that of those with good oral hygiene, and periodontitis can increase the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 1 cubic millimeter of dental plaque contains approximately 1 million bacteria, which is a potential source of pathogens for both the oral cavity and the respiratory tract. Bacteria in dental plaque are likely to enter saliva and then be aspirated into the lower respiratory tract and lungs, causing infection. Therefore, emphasizing good personal oral hygiene is crucial for preventing pneumonia and lung infections in the elderly.

　　Oral health is so important; how should oral hygiene be maintained?

　　Experts offer the following suggestions:

　　1. Maintain good oral hygiene habits.

　　The best way to maintain oral hygiene is brushing your teeth. The correct Bass brushing method should be used, brushing for a sufficient amount of time and frequency each day. It is recommended to brush your teeth for three minutes after each meal using the correct posture, and it is also recommended to brush your teeth after each meal. In short, brushing is the best way to remove plaque and soft deposits from the oral cavity. In addition to brushing, floss, interdental brushes, or water flossers can be used to remove food residue from interdental spaces that are difficult to remove by brushing.

　　2. Develop good eating habits.

　　Reducing the intake of sugar and carbonated drinks and increasing the intake of nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts can help maintain oral health.

　　3. Avoid biting hard foods or objects. The habit of destructively crushing nuts, ice, or other hard objects increases the risk of tooth wear. Also, don't use your teeth as tools, such as tearing open packaging or opening bottle caps.

　　4. Use toothpaste and toothbrushes properly. Choose the right toothpaste and toothbrush for you, and replace them regularly. Use the appropriate amount of toothpaste and avoid brushing too hard to avoid damaging your teeth and gums.

　　5. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Tobacco and alcohol are harmful to oral health and increase the risk of oral cancer, tooth discoloration, and other oral problems. Reducing or quitting these habits is crucial for oral health.

　　6. Regular oral checkups and teeth cleaning. Generally, one oral health check and one teeth cleaning per year. It should be noted that once a year is for healthy adults. For infants and children who are still growing or adults with existing oral problems, it is recommended to have an oral checkup every three to six months for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases, which saves both time and money.