[Kim Jaeho's Life Story]<247> What Happens When Teeth Decay

When we make facial expressions such as smiling or frowning, speak, or eat and drink, we appropriately use our mouth, teeth, and tongue, and digestion begins in the mouth. Teeth play an important role in all these processes, and because their function greatly affects overall health, proper use and dental health are very important. So, how well do we utilize our teeth, and how good is their health?

Chewing food well not only makes it easier to swallow but also offers many other health benefits. Unfortunately, many people do not chew their food thoroughly.

Chewing food thoroughly makes it taste better and allows you to better perceive the shape and texture of the food, making you more sensitive to its flavor. It also aids digestion by activating the functions of the stomach and intestines, and eating slowly helps prevent overeating, which can aid in obesity prevention. Moreover, using the muscles around the mouth extensively helps develop the jaw, enabling clearer pronunciation and richer facial expressions.

Chewing stimulates saliva production, which washes away food debris and bacteria remaining in the mouth, helping prevent cavities and gum disease. Additionally, an enzyme called peroxidase in saliva suppresses carcinogens in food, which helps prevent cancer?another benefit of chewing food well.

Because chewing food thoroughly has so many benefits, it is important to make a habit of chewing well. To do this, it is crucial to take time to enjoy the taste and avoid eating hastily, and it is best not to drink beverages while food is still in the mouth.

The most common health problems in the mouth occur in the teeth and gums. If teeth are not strong, you cannot fully enjoy the health benefits of thorough chewing described above, so maintaining dental health is very important.

Teeth are composed of three layers. The outermost white part is called enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body. The yellow dentin inside is less hard than enamel and receives nutrients from the dental pulp. The innermost part is the pulp, which consists of cells, blood vessels, and nerves.

The most common problem is dental caries, or cavities, which almost everyone experiences at some point in their life. In 2021, 6.36 million people received treatment for cavities, an 8.2% increase from 2017.

Cavities occur when acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque on the tooth surface break down sugars or starches left in the mouth, damaging the enamel. When cavities remain in the enamel, there is no pain, but once they reach the dentin, sensitivity to cold and hot stimuli occurs, along with pain when chewing. If the cavity progresses to the pulp, pain from hot stimuli and spontaneous pain without any stimulus appear.

The problem with cavities is that pain appears depending on the progression, and in severe cases, teeth may need to be extracted. Another serious issue to remember is that cavities significantly affect overall health.

Our mouths are full of bacteria, and harmful bacteria or viruses can enter at any time. Our bodies expel them through nasal mucus, coughing, sneezing, mucus in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts, vomiting, and diarrhea. The stomach secretes strong gastric acid to kill them, so most of the time, they do not cause problems.

However, if cavities break through these natural defenses, dental plaque mixed with bacteria, food debris, and saliva that normally cannot enter the bloodstream can penetrate 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 can cause atherosclerosis by narrowing and blocking arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Respiratory infections can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If bacteria reach brain cells and kill them, the risk of dementia increases. Pregnant women may experience pregnancy complications, with increased risks of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Because cavities seriously affect not only dental health but overall health, prevention is important, and cavities must be properly treated. Treatment involves completely removing the decayed area and filling it with materials such as amalgam or composite resin. If necessary, inlays or onlays made of gold, resin, or ceramic are fabricated and attached as restorative treatment.

To prevent cavities, it is advisable to limit the intake of foods and beverages high in sugar, foods that can convert to sugars in the mouth, and foods that are not easily washed away in the mouth. Reducing snacks is also beneficial. Instead, eating vegetables and fruits rich in fiber is recommended. Another preventive method is using fluoride, and when brushing teeth, it is more important to ensure no areas are missed than the number of times you brush.

Kim Jae-ho, Independent Researcher