One of the most common diseases in South Korea is 'periodontitis.' The primary cause of periodontitis is bacterial plaque formed by the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity. These harmful oral bacteria not only damage oral health but can also lead to dementia, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Oral care is a method to prevent and manage various oral diseases, including periodontal disease. It is crucial to reduce the number of bacteria causing oral diseases, strengthen oral tissues, and enhance resistance to diseases. The reporter visited the Apple Tree Dental Hospital in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, to directly check the state of oral health. The first step was to conduct a harmful oral bacteria test.
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Reporter in His 50s, Oral Age in His 70s… High Harmful Bacteria ScoreThe reporter's test results showed an overall oral risk score of 50, indicating a 'caution level.' Although not in a generally dangerous state, the medical staff explained that neglecting oral care could lead to risks at any time. The risk scores for periodontitis and halitosis were 66 and 61, respectively, indicating a significantly high quantitative level of harmful bacteria.
The harmful bacteria closely related to periodontitis, such as Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis, showed bacterial levels 50 times, 61 times, and 4.5 times higher than the healthy standard, respectively. This suggests a high potential for long-term damage to the alveolar bone. Moreover, these harmful bacteria can cause systemic diseases such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatoid diseases, in addition to oral issues.
Additionally, the bacterial levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which are likely causes of halitosis, were higher than the healthy standard. Fortunately, the levels of Streptococcus mutans, related to dental caries, were lower than the healthy standard, but overall, the high levels of harmful bacteria associated with both oral and systemic diseases raised concerns for dental health.
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Brush More Than Five Times a Day, Including Before Bed and After MealsThe medical staff prescribed the following oral care regimen. Most importantly, they recommended scaling, covered by health insurance, to remove tartar and biofilm. Although it is commonly known to brush teeth about three times a day, the recommendation was to increase it to five times a day.
Kim Hye-seong, Chairman of the Apple Tree Medical Foundation, stated, "The mouth is the best incubator for bacteria, so even a little neglect can lead to bacterial growth. The periodontal pocket, located between the teeth and gums, is where many harmful oral bacteria reside, causing halitosis and bleeding, making its care important."
The reporter received prescriptions to: △ brush teeth more than five times a day, including right before bed and immediately after waking up, and after meals △ use a soft toothbrush to prevent tooth wear △ use toothpaste with natural surfactant ingredients rather than synthetic ones △ use dental floss and oral irrigators (water picks) to clean between teeth and gums △ consume oral probiotics to suppress harmful oral bacteria. The challenge now is implementation. Chairman Kim stated, "If the prescribed oral hygiene habits and regular check-ups are consistently practiced, it will greatly benefit not only periodontitis and halitosis but also overall systemic health."
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