[Kim Jae-ho's Life Story]<246> When Oral Health Deteriorates, the Body Feels Chilly

In the Chinese historical text "Chunqiu," attributed to Confucius, there is a saying "Shun Wang Chi Han" (脣亡齒寒), which means "when the lips are damaged, the teeth feel cold." This phrase highlights the importance of oral health by examining which parts of our body are affected when oral health deteriorates.

We use our mouth, teeth, and tongue appropriately to make various facial expressions such as smiling or frowning, as well as to speak, eat, and drink. If there are problems with the health of the mouth, teeth, or tongue, these functions cannot operate normally. The most common diseases in the mouth include dental caries, commonly known as cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease which affect the gums, as well as oral cancer, tooth loss, and stomatitis among others.

Many people recover well from cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease if treated early, and even if not completely cured, these conditions mainly reduce quality of life rather than being fatal diseases like heart disease or pancreatic cancer. Therefore, some might think it is acceptable to live with the discomfort. However, numerous studies have shown that oral health significantly impacts overall health, which is important to note.

Our mouth, like other parts of the body, is full of bacteria, and since bacteria and viruses enter our body through the mouth, harmful bacteria or viruses can invade at any time. Most of these are harmless, but some can cause diseases. Our body expels them through nasal mucus, coughing, sneezing, mucus in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract, vomiting, and diarrhea. The stomach secretes strong gastric acid to kill them, so most do not cause problems.

However, if oral health is compromised and this natural defense barrier is breached, bacteria or dental plaque?a substance formed by the mixture of food debris and saliva that normally cannot enter the bloodstream when the mouth is healthy?can penetrate into blood vessels. Once bacteria or plaque enter the bloodstream, they travel throughout the body and cause various diseases.

Bacteria or plaque traveling through the bloodstream cause atherosclerosis, which hardens and blocks arteries. When this occurs in the coronary arteries, it causes heart disease; blockage in the carotid arteries leads to stroke; and infection of the respiratory system including the lungs can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Diabetes patients are often more vulnerable to infections and periodontal disease, which makes blood sugar control difficult and increases the risk of diabetic complications. At the same time, gum disease raises blood sugar levels, so people with poor oral health have a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Bacteria or plaque traveling through the bloodstream can reach brain cells and cause their death, increasing the risk of dementia. Pregnant women are more susceptible to oral infections due to various hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can lead to pregnancy complications, increasing the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Patients with gum disease who smoke have a higher risk of oral and throat cancers, as well as pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and blood cancers. Bacteria traveling through the bloodstream increase inflammation in the body, raising the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with gum disease generally have weakened immune systems and are more vulnerable to infections. If bacteria or plaque traveling through the bloodstream infect the kidneys, kidney disease can develop. For patients with chronic kidney disease, progression to renal failure or cardiovascular disease can be fatal.

Thus, diseases occurring in the mouth such as cavities and gum disease have a significant impact on overall health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 40% of the global population of 8 billion people?approximately 3.5 billion?are estimated to have oral health problems. South Korea is no different; in 2021, 17.41 million people received treatment for gingivitis and periodontal disease, a 14.6% increase from 2017, and 6.36 million people were treated for cavities, an 8.2% increase from 2017.

The global prevalence and increase of oral diseases are largely attributed to the consumption of foods and beverages high in sugar. WHO particularly points to the marketing of sugary foods and drinks, tobacco, and alcohol as major influences. Most oral diseases are generally preventable and treatable in their early stages.

So far, we have examined the importance of oral health. As WHO emphasizes, preventing diseases that occur in the mouth is paramount. To achieve this, it is necessary to accurately understand the specific causes of each disease and implement preventive measures based on this knowledge.

Kim Jae-ho, Independent Researcher