Gargle, gurgle, grr...
Gargle, gurgle, grr...
By PAUL YEO
No, it’s not the sound of someone drowning. Rather, it’s someone rinsing, and if we’re all concerned about our general health, we should all be making such sounds, too.
SOME brush only. Others brush and floss. The smart ones brush, floss AND rinse.
Many studies have noted the link between good oral health and good general health. - AP
We’re talking about oral hygiene, of course, and it’s come a long way since the advent of fluoride in oral care. So why do the smart ones rinse?
Oral health, systemic health There has been talk in recent years that oral hygiene may have an effect on overall health. In fact, experts presented scientific evidence linking periodontal disease to systemic health at the Global Oral and Systemic Health Summit held in the United States last year. Several key points and discussion highlights of the summit included:
1. Orally derived transient bacteraemia have been associated with an increased risk for systemic disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).
2. Current evidence suggests that a number of biologically plausible mechanisms may be implicated in the association between periodontal disease and CVD.
3. Cumulative evidence suggests that periodontal disease is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some studies indicate that treating mothers before and throughout pregnancy may result in full-term, larger and healthier babies.
Though the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health has not been definitively proven and quantified, there’s enough research out there to show that there is a relationship, and this should in turn prompt us to be more careful about how we go about looking after our oral hygiene. And that’s what the experts are saying, too. Inflammatory response Prof Louis G. DePaola, who is the executive director of biosafety, department of diagnostic sciences and pathology, University of Maryland Dental School, says: “A healthy mouth is important for general health. The healthier the mouth, the better a patient seems to be ...” Prof DePaola was in Kuala Lumpur recently at the invitation of Johnson & Johnson Asean Consumer Group of Companies to drive home the message about oral health and rinsing. “As science progressed, we started to look at oral disease as a component of the whole body system. We began to see a correlation ... “Many years ago, it was thought that periodontal disease was a localised disease. It is the main cause of tooth loss. Now, we have noticed that what takes place in the gums, there’s communication throughout the whole body,” he explains. What Prof DePaola is referring to is the inflammatory process that is inevitable in periodontal disease (which includes gingivitis and periodontits). In essence, it is an infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed.
In its mildest form, gingivitis, the gums bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Untreated, this can lead to periodontitis. That’s why advanced infections lead to tooth loss. “The cause of this inflammation is bacterial plaque (plaque is the sticky, colourless biofilm that constantly forms on teeth). This forms rapidly, within 24 hours,” notes Prof DePaola. “It’s therefore important to remove this biofilm as often as possible.”
If this isn’t removed, the bacteria in the biofilm causes inflammation. “There’s an influx of immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages and so on, and these have activity not only in the mouth, but also elsewhere in the body, such as the placental area in pregnant women, blood vessels, and so on. “Data is very strong linking this to placental damage. Studies have found that pregnant women with periodontal disease gave birth to more pre-term babies that those who don’t have periodontal disease,” notes Prof DePaola.
Brush, floss AND rinse “The way to prevention is to develop a healthy mouth – brush, floss and rinse,” stresses Prof DePaola. So, why is it that rinsing is so vital? Shouldn’t brushing and flossing at least twice a day do the trick? “The problem is, most people who brush and floss miss a lot of the biofilm,” says Prof DePaola. Hence, rinsing with oral mouthrinses with the appropriate antiseptics can help effectively reduce the biofilm that develops on teeth. Prof DePaola notes that in many rinses, the function is only to freshen the breath, not remove the biofilm. Hence, the type of mouthrinse used is important if you want to effectively remove the biofilm. “CPC (and ingredient in many mouthrinses) has limited activity,” says Prof DePaola. “Chlorhexidine works. The essential oils in some mouthrinses work,” he notes. “The tingling sensation you get in some mouthrinses is not due to the flavour, but due to the essential oils.” Prof DePaola also notes that in at least 10 clinical trials, it has been found that the longer you rinse, the better. But there’s a fall-off point. “Thirty seconds is the most efficient, with minimum discomfort,” he advises.
“The 30 seconds is important as the active components need to be in contact long enough with teeth so as to be able to remove the biofilm.”
Smokers beware There are many factors that predisposes one to periodontal disease, including genetics, environmental factors, poor nutrition and certain disease. Another important one is smoking. Yes, it is linked with many serious problems. Add periodontal disease to the picture.
In fact, some studies have shown that tobacco may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. So for smokers, there’s an added incentive to rinse, and with the right mouthrinse. For the rest of us, it’s time we gargled and gurgled to healthier teeth, and hopefully, healthier bodies, too.
Sugar restriction not fighting bacteria that would not be there without the former is the way to go. townofallopath
By PAUL YEO
No, it’s not the sound of someone drowning. Rather, it’s someone rinsing, and if we’re all concerned about our general health, we should all be making such sounds, too.
SOME brush only. Others brush and floss. The smart ones brush, floss AND rinse.
Many studies have noted the link between good oral health and good general health. - AP
We’re talking about oral hygiene, of course, and it’s come a long way since the advent of fluoride in oral care. So why do the smart ones rinse?
Oral health, systemic health There has been talk in recent years that oral hygiene may have an effect on overall health. In fact, experts presented scientific evidence linking periodontal disease to systemic health at the Global Oral and Systemic Health Summit held in the United States last year. Several key points and discussion highlights of the summit included:
1. Orally derived transient bacteraemia have been associated with an increased risk for systemic disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).
2. Current evidence suggests that a number of biologically plausible mechanisms may be implicated in the association between periodontal disease and CVD.
3. Cumulative evidence suggests that periodontal disease is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some studies indicate that treating mothers before and throughout pregnancy may result in full-term, larger and healthier babies.
Though the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health has not been definitively proven and quantified, there’s enough research out there to show that there is a relationship, and this should in turn prompt us to be more careful about how we go about looking after our oral hygiene. And that’s what the experts are saying, too. Inflammatory response Prof Louis G. DePaola, who is the executive director of biosafety, department of diagnostic sciences and pathology, University of Maryland Dental School, says: “A healthy mouth is important for general health. The healthier the mouth, the better a patient seems to be ...” Prof DePaola was in Kuala Lumpur recently at the invitation of Johnson & Johnson Asean Consumer Group of Companies to drive home the message about oral health and rinsing. “As science progressed, we started to look at oral disease as a component of the whole body system. We began to see a correlation ... “Many years ago, it was thought that periodontal disease was a localised disease. It is the main cause of tooth loss. Now, we have noticed that what takes place in the gums, there’s communication throughout the whole body,” he explains. What Prof DePaola is referring to is the inflammatory process that is inevitable in periodontal disease (which includes gingivitis and periodontits). In essence, it is an infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed.
In its mildest form, gingivitis, the gums bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Untreated, this can lead to periodontitis. That’s why advanced infections lead to tooth loss. “The cause of this inflammation is bacterial plaque (plaque is the sticky, colourless biofilm that constantly forms on teeth). This forms rapidly, within 24 hours,” notes Prof DePaola. “It’s therefore important to remove this biofilm as often as possible.”
If this isn’t removed, the bacteria in the biofilm causes inflammation. “There’s an influx of immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages and so on, and these have activity not only in the mouth, but also elsewhere in the body, such as the placental area in pregnant women, blood vessels, and so on. “Data is very strong linking this to placental damage. Studies have found that pregnant women with periodontal disease gave birth to more pre-term babies that those who don’t have periodontal disease,” notes Prof DePaola.
Brush, floss AND rinse “The way to prevention is to develop a healthy mouth – brush, floss and rinse,” stresses Prof DePaola. So, why is it that rinsing is so vital? Shouldn’t brushing and flossing at least twice a day do the trick? “The problem is, most people who brush and floss miss a lot of the biofilm,” says Prof DePaola. Hence, rinsing with oral mouthrinses with the appropriate antiseptics can help effectively reduce the biofilm that develops on teeth. Prof DePaola notes that in many rinses, the function is only to freshen the breath, not remove the biofilm. Hence, the type of mouthrinse used is important if you want to effectively remove the biofilm. “CPC (and ingredient in many mouthrinses) has limited activity,” says Prof DePaola. “Chlorhexidine works. The essential oils in some mouthrinses work,” he notes. “The tingling sensation you get in some mouthrinses is not due to the flavour, but due to the essential oils.” Prof DePaola also notes that in at least 10 clinical trials, it has been found that the longer you rinse, the better. But there’s a fall-off point. “Thirty seconds is the most efficient, with minimum discomfort,” he advises.
“The 30 seconds is important as the active components need to be in contact long enough with teeth so as to be able to remove the biofilm.”
Smokers beware There are many factors that predisposes one to periodontal disease, including genetics, environmental factors, poor nutrition and certain disease. Another important one is smoking. Yes, it is linked with many serious problems. Add periodontal disease to the picture.
In fact, some studies have shown that tobacco may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. So for smokers, there’s an added incentive to rinse, and with the right mouthrinse. For the rest of us, it’s time we gargled and gurgled to healthier teeth, and hopefully, healthier bodies, too.
Sugar restriction not fighting bacteria that would not be there without the former is the way to go. townofallopath
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