The age range of human defined as ‘’old age’’ in the past is now expressed as “middle age”. Advances in medical science have improved in such a way that it allows people to continue their active lives without any disruption from any systemic diseases that can occur in middle age. In this age range, dental care and oral health are very important to carry on with an active life.
Jaws, teeth and supporting structures are the areas in the human body with the most probability of an infection occurring and bacteria and toxins can spread to the whole body. The infection, that starts as tooth infection and gum infection or mouth wound infection can spread to the jawbone and from there to the systemic circulation. Even an infection originating from the simplest tooth decay can be fatal when disregarded. The infection can create a harmful local tissue in the area it is in and can spread through blood and nerve tracks causing permanent damage on the important organs. The gum and supporting tissue infection are related to diabetes, low weight premature baby, cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases. Also there are many researches relating it with the Alzheimer disease. The bacteria that is causing these infection was also found in the brain tissue of an Alzheimer patient and the systemic inflammation that was caused by those bacterias was stated as an important factor in the progression of the illness.
Bacterias and toxins that are causing dental and jaw infections pave the way for those illnesses, also play a part in making the current systemic diseases more serious and prevent attaining the expected result from the treatments. After an infection, the teeth that are lost and the impaired mouth function affects the nutrition function negatively causing some weight problems. And also jawbone without teeth create old image on the face and this couldn’t be solved with esthetic surgery.
Dental care and oral health that must start as a child can be ensured with routine controls and the necessary treatments. Other routine controls hold an important place in dental care too and they shouldn’t be disregarded.
Oral health is integral part of health of the body and the most suitable solution to humanity’s constant need of trying to look young.
LITERATURE:
1- Pihlstrom BL, Michalowicz BS, Johnson NW. Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 2005;366(9499):1809–20) .
2- Leira Y, Domínguez C, Seoane J, Seoane-Romero J, Pías-Peleteiro JM, Takkouche B, Blanco J, Aldrey JM. Is Periodontal Disease Associated with Alzheimer's Disease? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Neuroepidemiology. 2017;48(1-2):21-31
3- Teshome A, Yitayeh A. Relationship between periodontal disease and preterm low
birth weight: systematic review. Pan Afr Med J. 2016 Jul 12;24:215
4- Desta NT. Pathophysiological association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer's
disease: Importance of periodontal health in the elderly. J Oral Biosci. 2021 Dec;63(4):351-359
Prof Dr Hülya KOCAK BERBEROGLU
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Dentistry Deputy Dean
Instagram: @groupdent
