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World Oral Health Day 2024: A Healthy Mouth Supports Brain Health

World Oral Health Day 2024: A Healthy Mouth Supports Brain Health

 

World Oral Health Day is celebrated annually on March 20th. This year's theme - A Happy Mouth… A Happy Body  - emphasizes the connection between a healthy mouth and overall health.

Dental and oral bacteria are linked to many chronic diseases in the body. Thorough brushing and regular dental visits can also prevent strokes (1).

According to statistics from the World Stroke Organization (WSO), over 13 million people suffer from strokes each year, and one in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime. Surprisingly, up to 90% of these cases could be prevented by making lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing regular exercise, quitting smoking, and even improving regular oral hygiene.

Medical Licentiate Olli Patrakka examined the significance of oral bacteria, especially viridans group streptococci, in the development of strokes in his recent doctoral dissertation in forensic medicine at the University of Tampere. Although these bacteria are normal mouth microbes, they can cause serious illnesses such as heart valve inflammation when they enter the bloodstream. For example, they can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums while brushing teeth.

- These bacteria attach to the tooth's surface in the mouth and initiate the process, leading to the formation of dental plaque. We hypothesize that a similar phenomenon occurs when bacteria that enter the bloodstream during, for example, dental procedures or dental infections travel into the walls of the arteries. This may accelerate the development of both strokes and atherosclerosis, explains Patrakka.

Poor oral hygiene is a risk factor for strokes

According to Patrakka, dental bacteria can be found in the blood clots of stroke patients in about four out of five cases. A similar result has yet to be reported.

Blood clots from stroke patients treated in Tampere were collected for the study during acute care. In addition, samples from patients suffering from symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were used as tissues for endarterectomy.

Epidemiological studies have shown that poor oral hygiene is an independent risk factor for strokes.

- The results of my study suggest that the connection could be explicitly explained through the inflammatory reaction caused by dental bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques.

The findings of the dissertation are significant as they open up new opportunities to develop the treatment of stroke patients.

Patrakka estimates that the development of a vaccine may also be possible.

So, what practical implications can findings like these have on treating stroke patients and healthcare practices?

Although further research is needed to determine causality, the study supports the view that oral health must be taken care of, especially in those at risk of strokes.

According to Patrakka, the inflammation caused by streptococcal bacteria in the mouth should always be considered in stroke prevention as part of regular dental care. Additionally, it is essential to investigate the potential benefits of timely antimicrobial treatment or bacterial vaccines in the future.

Periodontitis is the root cause of many ailments

Studies show dental plaque bacteria are responsible for about 95 per cent of oral diseases. One of the most common oral diseases is periodontitis, a severe gum disease caused by dental plaque. Early signs of this disease include red gums, gum bleeding, and bad breath.

In patients with periodontitis, the fibres that attach the tooth to the gum are destroyed, forming a periodontal pocket between the gum and the tooth. This pocket may expand around the entire tooth. If the infection is not treated promptly and oral hygiene is not improved, it can progress to destroy more extensively the supporting tissues of the teeth and, ultimately, the jawbone.

Thorough oral hygiene is crucial for the prevention and treatment of oral infections. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), more and more people in Finland brush their teeth at least twice a day, but there are still deficiencies in self-care. While about 80% of women brush their teeth at least twice a day, the corresponding figure for men is 53%.

Deficiencies in oral hygiene are directly reflected in the statistics of oral infectious diseases. For example, gum diseases are worryingly common in the age group of 30-44, both in women (43%) and men (57%).

Thorough mechanical brushing of teeth and cleaning of the interdental spaces are crucial because even asymptomatic oral inflammations can affect the body's overall health.

- According to statistics, individuals with healthy mouths live longer. Every missing tooth reduces life expectancy. This is talked about far too little, says Tommi Pätilä, a heart and transplant surgeon at HUS New Children's Hospital in Helsinki, Finland.

Pätilä is also one of the developers of the antibacterial Lumoral method. Lumoral is a medical device designed to improve oral hygiene and oral health. The antibacterial oral care method is especially suitable for patients with difficult-to-treat gum diseases such as periodontitis who do not get adequate results from traditional oral hygiene methods such as brushing teeth and cleaning interdental spaces.

The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration

According to Pätilä, collaboration between doctors and dentists is essential and needs to be increased in Finland. Many doctors in Finland already check the oral health status of their patients at their clinics and guide them to further treatment as needed. Diabetes is an excellent example of a disease where the importance of hidden inflammations is generally understood. However, more collaboration is required to expedite many diagnoses and even prevent general diseases.

- The recent medical dissertation at the University of Tampere is significant as it addresses oral health as part of overall body health, says Pätilä.

Olli Patrakka's interest in oral bacteria arose as part of his duties as a pathologist. Has the interest of young doctors in the impact of dental infections on general health increased?

- It hasn't increased, but it should. In the basic medical training I received about five years ago, there was also no discussion of the impact of dental infections on general health. Of course, the topic is still relatively new, but hopefully, awareness and scientific evidence will gradually increase over the years.

Patrakka emphasizes that a general practitioner should know when a dental problem requires a referral to a dentist. This would expedite the treatment of oral infections and potentially support the achievement of balance in the treatment of many general diseases.

- My research contributes to the evidence that the impact of oral health on general health is significant. The blood vessels of the tooth pulp are directly connected to the systemic circulation. Thus bacteria and their metabolites can circulate directly into our bodies if the teeth are not in good condition.

Olli Patrakka. Image: Hanna-Sofia Luoto

References:

Sen S, Giamberardino LD, Moss K, Morelli T, Rosamond WD, Gottesman RF, Beck J, Offenbacher S. Periodontal Disease, Regular Dental Care Use, and Incident Ischemic Stroke. Stroke. 2018 Feb;49(2):355-362. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.018990. Epub 2018 Jan 15. PMID: 29335336; PMCID: PMC5780242.

https://trepo.tuni.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/154588/978-952-03-3315-7.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

Pakarinen S, Saarela RKT, Välimaa H, Heikkinen AM, Kankuri E, Noponen M, Alapulli H, Tervahartiala T, Räisänen IT, Sorsa T, et al. Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Stable Chronic Periodontitis (HOPE-CP)—Three-Month Interim Results. Dentistry Journal. 2022; 10(11):206. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj10110206

Nikinmaa S, Alapulli H, Auvinen P, Vaara M, Rantala J, et al. (2020) Dual-light photodynamic therapy administered daily provides a sustained antibacterial effect on biofilm and prevents Streptococcus mutans adaptation. PLOS ONE 15(5): e0232775. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232775

Nikinmaa S, Moilanen N, Sorsa T, Rantala J, Alapulli H, Kotiranta A, Auvinen P, Kankuri E, Meurman JH, Pätilä T. Indocyanine Green-Assisted and LED-Light-Activated Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy Reduces Dental Plaque. Dentistry Journal. 2021; 9(5):52. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj9050052

 



A healthy mouth is a prerequisite for successful implant treatment

A healthy mouth is a prerequisite for successful implant treatment

Finland is a rather conservative country when it comes to dental implant treatments. Unlike in many other European countries, where demand for implants is growing strongly as the population ages, the growth in Finland has remained relatively moderate over the past 10-15 years. However, the need for implants is no less in our country.

According to specialist dentist Pekka Kallio, around 30 000 new dental implants are placed in Finland every year. In relation to the population, the number of implants in Italy, for example, is four times higher than in Finland. Meanwhile, around 100 million implants have been placed in patients' mouths worldwide so far. Around 10 million new dental implant treatments are done every year.

According to Kallio, the high cost of implant treatment in Finland compared to many other countries is often a barrier to more significant growth in the implantology business.

- However, with implant surgery becoming increasingly digitally guided, it is possible that patients in Finland will not have to pay so much for their implant treatments in the future. Price competition in the sector has already increased in Finland, without compromising the quality of treatment, says Kallio. 

Kallio has been a specialist dentist himself for almost 25 years. He recalls that dental implants come in handy when, for example, a patient needs a strong foundation for crowns or bridges.

According to Kallio, the success of implant treatments depends on both the experience of the dentist and the choice of the patient. All the implant brands used in Finland are of high quality, so the success of implant treatment is not dependent on the implant itself. A patient's previous history of periodontitis is also not an obstacle to implant treatment.

- However, periodontal disease must be treated and well maintained before implant treatment. The most important risk factor for treatment failure is smoking. Diabetes is another important risk factor to consider in treatment, says Kallio.

A healthy mouth is the basis for successful implant treatment

Oral home care, including thorough daily brushing and flossing and regular dentist check-ups are essential for the prognosis of the treatment. There is room for improvement in the oral home care of implant patients. The idea that implants are eternal and better than one's own teeth is wrong, says Kallio.

Peri-implantitis is a serious gum disease that affects the well-being of implants and can lead to implant loss if left untreated. Although implant treatments generally have a good success rate, on average one implant is lost every four minutes. This translates into around 140,000 lost implants per year. Around 50% of implant patients develop peri-implantitis over time, according to figures from Dentognostics.

Kallio points out that successful implant treatment requires a healthy mouth.

- Periodontal disease and implant treatments are not at all compatible. The risk of infection is high and, in the long run, teeth weakened by periodontal disease will cause excessive pressure to dental implants and bridges.  

After implant surgery, the surgical site is tender. In addition, sutures make cleaning difficult. Today, antiseptic mouthwashes are used to kill oral bacteria after surgery. However, they have side effects, including discolouration of the teeth, says Kallio. 

Antibacterial Lumoral treatment has also shown good results in the treatment of dental implant-related infections.

- In my studies, the amount of plaque and gum bleeding in patients was significantly reduced compared to the initial situation, and there were no side effects associated with the use of Lumoral, says Hanna Lähteenmäki, a YAMK oral hygienist who was awarded the title of Oral Hygienist of the Year 2022.

Kallio also feels that Lumoral is a promising product for implant patients.

- I use it selectively with my patients who have challenges with oral home care or other factors that affect the prognosis of their treatment.

- I recommend using Lumoral daily for 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.  Most patients continue to use it at the normal 2 times a week dosage.

Even with successful implant placement, implants do not always remain healthy. According to Kallio long term follow-up studies have show inflammation and bone loss around implants, known as peri-implantitis. It occurs in about one fifth of implants after a ten-year follow-up.  Treatment of these often requires complex treatment by a specialist dentist. 

- Here too, careful oral home care is a prerequisite for successful treatment.  Lumoral is, in my opinion, an affordable insurance not only to improve the long-term prognosis of implant treatment, but also to prevent many other oral health risks, such as caries and periodontitis. For patients with dry mouth problems, Lumoral provides a definite improvement. The ease of use of Lumoral and the immediate feeling of dental cleanliness it provides has brought many positive comments from my patients.

Finland’s Koite Health partners up with a major player in the Italian implant industry

Finland’s Koite Health partners up with a major player in the Italian implant industry

Finnish health technology company Koite Health has signed a distribution accord with Megagen Italia, which markets cutting-edge dental implant systems and advanced surgical devices. As a kickoff to the new collaboration, both companies will be present with a joint stand at the upcoming Expodental Meeting event in Rimini, Italy, on 18— 20 May 2023.

The global dental implants market is flourishing because of a growing prevalence of dental diseases and tooth loss, an aging population, and the rapid adoption of technology advancements and digital technologies, such as computer-aided design and 3D printing, in dental implant materials and design.

In Italy, dental implants are also very common. We are talking about over 2.5 million Italians yearly who resort to fixed prostheses. 

According to Mr. Federico Annoni from Megagen Italia, the implant market is constantly growing in Italy due to the rapidly aging population and because many people neglect their oral health. This contributes to the loss of natural teeth. Thus, the use of implants is necessary. 

Oral home care is very important for the health of dental implants. Proper oral hygiene combined with regular use of Lumoral could be decisive in preventing periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Megagen sees Koite Heath as a great partner with its Lumoral teeth cleaning method since it brings innovation in oral hygiene and prevention of oral infections. This collaboration also brings in implant patients more awareness of oral health, says Annoni.

Lumoral brings many benefits to implant patients: it helps sustain oral bacterial diversity while reducing plaque bacteria, it reduces gingivitis and plaque and tartar formation, and treats and prevents periodontitis and peri-implantitis efficiently.

– We believe that it is an excellent idea that dentists would offer a Lumoral device to all their implant patients to help prevent peri-implantitis and help keep the implants healthy.

Megagen will participate at the upcoming Expodental Meeting event in Rimini, Italy, with two stands  one exclusively dedicated to Megagen products and another devoted solely to Lumoral where two of your specialists will be present, Annoni says.

Everyone could use Lumoral according to their needs, he adds. The device is easy to use regularly, and the method helps maintain better oral hygiene for those who suffer from serious infections such as peri-implantitis and periodontitis and those who do not suffer from them but want only to improve their oral health.

– We believe that Lumoral could be the next “big thing” in the oral health care market that will help boost the oral health of Italian people and, at the same time, help save public health care costs, Annoni concludes.

***

Facts: Global Dental Implants Market 

Dental implants are an effective solution to fill any gaps or spaces within the mouth caused by missing or damaged teeth. Dental implants are metal devices surgically implanted into the jawbone below the gums to support artificial teeth. The process by which these implants fuse with the bone is called osseointegration, and they resemble screw-shaped prosthetic tooth roots. Once the dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, they fuse with the natural bone to create a sturdy foundation for one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. An abutment is attached to the dental implant to hold and support the crowns. Crowns can be customized to fit the shape and contour of natural teeth for a comfortable fit within the mouth.

Developed countries have more dental implant users, primarily due to their better resources, higher per capita income, a more significant concern for aesthetics, and heightened awareness. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to its increasing economic stability and disposable income, as well as its dense population burdened by a growing senior population.

50 million implants have been inserted globally so far, while 10 million new implants are being inserted in patients' mouths each year. Maintaining the health of implants is crucial. 

Peri-implantitis is a serious gum disease that impacts the health of implants and can lead to loss of them, if left untreated. Despite impressive success rates, one implant is still lost every four minutes, which translates into 140,000 cases per year.

Around 50% of implant patients will develop peri-implant mucositis over time. Approximately one-third of all patients will develop clinically manifested peri-implantitis.

(Source: Dentognostics)