Gingivitis can lead to cardiovascular diseases

Oral Health: Periodontitis can promote heart disease

Health experts say that around three out of four adults suffer from periodontitis during their lifetime. The inflammation of the periodontium has a direct influence on the general health and can, among other things, also promote heart disease. Proper care can prevent gingivitis.

Inflammation of the periodontium

According to experts, about eleven to twelve million people in Germany are plagued with periodontitis. Typical symptoms that can occur with the disease are bleeding gums, sensitive necks, toothache, bad breath and loose teeth. But the chronic inflammation of the periodontium not only damages the teeth, but can also promote life-threatening diseases, according to the medical profession. To prevent, attention should be paid to the correct oral hygiene.

Periodontal disease not only damages the teeth, but also favors serious illnesses, such as the heart. To prevent, attention should be paid to the correct oral hygiene. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com)

Periodontitis and diabetes

Periodontitis should always be prevented. Because of the inflammation in the gums germs can enter the bloodstream and in this way, among other things favor cardiovascular diseases.

Particularly at risk are diabetics. According to health experts, the so-called diabetes and periodontitis are a dangerous combination.

Why this is so explains Prof. Dirk Ziebolz, Senior Physician at the Polyclinic for Tooth Preservation and Periodontics of the University Hospital Leipzig, in a recent release.

Increased risk of coronary heart disease

"If a person with diabetes is not well prepared for medication, this can have serious consequences for the tooth and gums," says Prof. Ziebolz.

"Because tooth decay and severe periodontal disease can arise. On the other hand, periodontitis also has a direct impact on overall health, "warns the expert.

"For example, this inflammatory disease of the dental bed complicates the quality of care of diabetic patients and increases their risk for consequential disease, e.g. Kidney disease as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system. And especially precarious is: Periodontal disease can even increase the risk of coronary heart disease. "

In this context, the following is significant: "Among the interactions between oral health and general diseases also includes that in periodontitis different bacteria can get into the bloodstream and then cause, for example, inflammatory reactions in the heart," said Prof. Ziebolz.

Brush teeth twice a day

To prevent, attention should be paid to the correct oral hygiene. Nothing is as good as regular brushing your teeth.

But what is the right kind of dental care? Should it be better to clean manually or electrically? Which toothpaste is recommended? Do dental care chewing gums bring something? Experts have some useful tips.

Dentists advise brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Best after breakfast and especially after dinner. According to experts, dental care is much more important in the evening than the next morning.

How long you want to clean depends on factors such as the amount of teeth in the mouth, your own skill, the cleaning technique and the tools used. The optimal cleaning time is usually given as two to five minutes.

Although until recently experts assumed that after a meal with acidic or sugary foods, you should wait half an hour to brush your teeth, as the acid dissolves minerals from the enamel and you make the process even worse by brushing - tooth enamel is wiped off.

But now this recommendation is critically discussed by dentists because the benefits of brushing immediately after eating seem to outweigh the potential disadvantages.

Clean interdental spaces correctly

It should be noted that the toothbrush only catches about 70 percent of the dirt coverings - the rest sits between the teeth. Therefore, you should clean the interdental spaces at least once a day.

Dental floss is best suited for this. However, one must be careful not to hurt the gums. Also suitable as alternatives are toothed wood, toothpicks or interdental brushes.

Mouthwashings also clean interdental spaces. In order to control its own cleanser sequence, one can occasionally use a staining tablet which shows which areas have not become clean.

Electric toothbrushes especially useful in old age
As a rule, dentists recommend brushing with soft to medium-hard, rounded bristles and a short head. These also make it easier to reach the back teeth.

Many experts believe that electric toothbrushes give better results. And above all, because the brush heads vibrate or rotate, so that your own movements are supported and relieved.

In addition, electric toothbrushes may be useful especially in the case of limited mobility, for example in old age.

However, children should first learn the proper brushing technique with a manual toothbrush before later switching to an electric toothbrush.

Do not exert too much pressure

Too much pressure during brushing is discouraged, as this may damage the enamel.

For example, scrubbing can also damage the gums and the neck of the teeth, as they cause the hard tooth substance to be scoured away.

The pressure during cleaning should be equivalent to 150 grams, which you can try by pressing with the toothbrush on a kitchen scale.

If the bristles of the toothbrush are bent after four weeks, that is an indication of too much pressure. A toothbrush should normally be replaced about every three months.

Even after a cold, the brush should be replaced best, so as not to re-infect.

It depends on the right technology

Experts advise cleaning always in the same order so that a routine is established and no area is forgotten. We recommend the so-called KAI technique.

This means that first the chewing surfaces, then the outer surfaces and then the inside of the teeth are cleaned.

It is basically from red (gums) to white (tooth) cleaned. Shaking and brushing is particularly useful, according to dentists.

Sugar-free chewing gum and a healthy diet

The fact that chewing gum can provide healthy teeth is not because the sugar-free products remove dental plaque, it stimulates salivation.

Saliva has an antibacterial and cleansing effect and ensures that minerals that are extracted, for example, by sugar or acids, making the tooth more susceptible to tooth decay, are re-deposited in the enamel.

They should be chewed for about five to ten minutes after eating. Although chewing gum is a good supplement to dental care, it does not replace tooth brushing.

Dr. also sees this. Stephan Ziegler, dentist and head of the KU64 dental practice from Berlin.

The physician, who clarified in a contribution of "Heilpraxisnet" about errors of dental and oral hygiene, said: "Basically, no other means can replace the cleaning power of a toothbrush."

The right diet also contributes to oral health. Carrots, mineral water and whole grains can help keep your teeth healthy. (Ad)