World oral health day: oral hygiene and microbiota health are functional to general well -being.
On the occasion of the World Oral Health Day, which is celebrated on March 20, it is appropriate to remember the importance of good daily practices to protect our smile. Oral health represents a fundamental element of general well -being, with implications that go far beyond aesthetics. Here are 6 curiosities to keep in mind on the mouth and his health.
1. The mouth: a miniature ecosystem
Our mouth hosts a real bacterial universe called “oral microbiota”. When this ecosystem is in balance, everything works beautifully. But when it goes into “dysbiosis” – that is, an imbalance in the composition of oral bacteria that alters the delicate ecological balance – caries and periodontal diseases occur. It is as if the peaceful bacterial community of our mouth was suddenly destabilized, allowing potentially harmful bacteria to proliferate uncontrolled. According to the WHO, about 60% of children under the age of 16 lives with this bacterial imbalance, a fact that underlines how widespread this problem is.
2. The teeth tell our evolutionary history
Human teeth have a long evolutionary history, representing significant changes in the diet and habits of our ancestors. Initially suitable mainly for fruit consumption, they have gradually adapted to an increasingly varied diet, including hard foods and meat, becoming generalist tools. Environmental and cultural changes, such as the introduction of fire and agriculture, have further modeled the shape and function of our dentition.
3. The teeth resist the time
Covered by the nail polish, mainly composed of hydroxyapatitis, the teeth are among the parts of the human body most resistant to degradation. This feature allows teeth to preserve well in archaeological sites, providing precious information to scholars regarding human evolution and the distinction between Homo neanderthalensis And Homo sapiens.
4. Oral hygiene and general health are closely related
Poor oral hygiene can have serious repercussions on general health, well beyond common caries or gingivitis. Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream causing chronic infections and inflammations that contribute to serious systemic diseases. In particular, an unwitting mouth significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, aggravates the course of type 2 diabetes and makes its management more complex. Recent studies have also connected bad oral health to an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In addition, mouth bacteria can negatively influence male fertility, increasing the risk of helplessness, and can be implicated in the development of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
5. Chewing gum without sugar: ally for the health and aesthetics of the teeth
The chewing gum chewing without sugar, in particular those containing xylitol, offers some advantages for oral health. The XIITITOLO helps prevent caries formation by stimulating saliva production, which neutralizes the acidity produced by bacteria and helps in cleaning dental surfaces. The increase in salivary flow also helps to maintain a balance in the oral microbiota. In addition to this, the mechanical action of chewing helps in the removal of food residues, especially in the interdental spaces that are difficult to reach with the simple rinse. Sugar -free chewing gums can also be enriched with specific substances such as sodium tripposphate, which prevents the formation of dental spots caused by pigmented foods such as tea, coffee and wine, or cigarette smoke, keeping the brighter and white smile over time. In a certain way it can help daily oral hygiene if you are outside the home and it is not possible to use the toothbrush that – it must be remembered – is the only real tool to ensure the cleaning of the teeth together with the dental floss.
6. Advanced technology for oral hygiene
Technology today offers increasingly advanced tools to maintain perfect oral hygiene: from intelligent electric brushes that analyze in real time the quality of dental cleaning, to innovative dental techniques such as 3D printing for custom dental crowns and the implantology assisted by robot. The use of artificial intelligence allows early diagnosis of caries, while new biocompatible materials improve the resistance and effectiveness of dental interventions, reducing times and inconveniences for patients.
