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One of the most common diseases in Korea is periodontitis. The main cause of periodontitis is a bacterial plaque formed by the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Oral harmful 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 such as gum disease. It is important to reduce the number of bacteria causing oral diseases, strengthen oral tissues, and increase resistance to diseases. A visit was made to Apple Tree Dental Hospital in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do to directly check oral health status.

● Oral harmful bacteria test completed after 30 seconds of gargling

The first step was to conduct an oral harmful bacteria test. It is not a complicated test. After holding the gargle solution for the test in the mouth and gargling for about 30 seconds, it is spit into a collection container. The collected gargle is then analyzed using equipment that extracts the genes of bacteria in the mouth and detects harmful bacteria through a real-time gene amplification device. The test usually takes about two hours. It can also be conducted at home by simply collecting the sample with a test kit delivered to the home and sending it back via courier. It takes about a week to receive the test results.

Yang Seung-jo, director of Daxmedi, who conducted the test, said, “This test analyzes and quantifies the genes of seven major harmful bacteria that cause oral diseases. It shows the amount of bacteria in comparison to a healthy person in a graph,” and added, “Depending on the types of harmful bacteria detected, it evaluates the correlation with systemic diseases and the risk of oral diseases, and suggests customized oral care plans.”

● 50s journalist, oral age in the 70s… High harmful bacteria score

The test results showed the journalist's overall oral risk score was 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 bad breath were 66 and 61, respectively, indicating a significantly high quantitative level of harmful bacteria.

The bacteria related to periodontitis, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, showed significantly higher bacterial counts compared to the normal level, at 50 times, 61 times, and 4.5 times, respectively. This suggests a high possibility of long-term damage to the alveolar bone. Moreover, these harmful bacteria can cause not only oral issues but also systemic diseases such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatic diseases.

The bacteria levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which are likely causes of bad breath, were also higher compared to the normal level. Fortunately, the bacteria related to cavities (dental caries), Streptococcus mutans, were lower than the normal level, but overall, the high levels of harmful bacteria related to both oral and systemic diseases have raised a red flag for dental health.

● Brushing teeth more than five times a day, including before bed and after meals

The medical staff prescribed the following oral care regimen. Most importantly, they recommended scaling, which is covered by health insurance, to remove tartar and bacterial plaque. 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, said, “The mouth is the best incubator for bacteria, so even a little neglect can lead to bacterial growth,” and emphasized, “It is important to manage the periodontal pockets between the teeth and gums, which harbor many oral harmful bacteria and are the cause of bad breath and bleeding.”

The journalist received prescriptions to: △Brush teeth more than five times a day, including right before bed and right after waking up, and after meals △Use a soft toothbrush to prevent tooth abrasion △Use toothpaste with natural surfactant ingredients rather than synthetic surfactants △Use dental floss and oral irrigators (water picks) to manage between teeth and gums △Inhibit oral harmful bacteria by consuming oral probiotics. The challenge now is to implement these practices. Kim added, “If the oral hygiene habits and regular check-ups prescribed by the hospital are consistently practiced, it will greatly benefit not only periodontitis and bad breath but also overall systemic health.”

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