CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.12

CHECK MAG #12
CLEAN SMILING
Our author Michaela Medrow is a pharmaceutical representative
and beautician at Witzleben pharmacies. For CHECK MAG she
shares her perspective on important health issues.
Foto: ©ETTA, @girlwithredhat
Healthy teeth are an important prerequisite for our
speech, our well-being and food intake. Oral and dental
health is not only important for a beautiful smile
and social contacts, but for the health of the entire
human body. Next to the teeth, our mouth hides a
perfect system of glands, muscles, nerves and billions
of bacteria, which together ensure that our food is
prepared for digestion and that the metabolism is
supported. Already in the
mouth acids are neutralised,
pathogens eliminated and
blood pressure regulated.
However, constant moisture,
evenly warm temperature
and regular supply of
nutrients are also optimal for harmful bacteria, fungi
and viruses. As a result, these can multiply and settle in
many of the mouth’s niches and possible tooth pockets,
which can then trigger a variety of diseases. These can
then get into other organs via the bloodstream and
can increase the risk of stroke, cardiovascular diseases
and heart valve inflammation. We now know about the
interactions between periodontitis and rheumatism as
well as diabetes. Tooth decay can also be transmitted
from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. Proper
oral hygiene can minimise the risk factors for oral cavity
cancer: around 90 out of 100 people with oral cavity
cancer also have dental diseases, such as tooth decay.
“We eat burgers and white bread and
drink smoothies instead of chewing
meat, whole grains, fruits and
vegetables to stimulate blood flow
and salivation.”
Although tooth decay has decreased slightly in all
age groups over the past few decades, modern life is
constantly taking its toll on our oral health. We eat
burgers and white bread and drink smoothies instead
of chewing meat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables to
stimulate blood flow and salivation.
Too little salivation increases the risk of cavities,
because the saliva in our mouth neutralises acids and
supplies the tooth enamel
with minerals.
When we eat too much
sugar and carbohydrates,
we literally feed the harmful
bacteria in the mouth.
They convert the sugar into
acid, which then attacks the
enamel, the outermost layer of our teeth. Cavities,
or tooth decay, at first develop as white spots on the
tooth surface as a result of demineralization, which
can also turn yellowish/brownish with coffee or tea.
If the cavities penetrate into the pulp, aka the dentin,
dark holes appear and the root of the tooth becomes
inflamed and the tooth reacts painfully to sweet, hot
or cold things.
Once the pain is severe and persistent, it can be
assumed that the pulp has been reached. If the pain
stops, the nerve has probably been permanently
damaged.
· Weleda’s brine toothpaste, which is applied to a
dry toothbrush, also has the special feature that
the salt crystals it contains stimulate salivation,
which strengthens the gums and prevents tooth
decay. Saliva has an antibacterial effect and can
neutralise acids in plaque. It takes a little getting
used to, but I’ve been using and loving them for over
40 years and can’t go without the fresh, clean taste
of real peppermint in my mouth after brushing!
· And one last tip: Expand your daily oral hygiene with
rinses containing calendula essence, which promotes
wound healing. (Wala/Weleda, also for all other
inflammatory areas! Add 1 tablespoon to 1/8 l boiled
water and rinse 1–3 times a day.) Sage tea is also very
suitable: Pour 250 ml boiling water over 1 teaspoon
(anti-inflammatory) sage leaves, Leave for 5 minutes
and then add two drops of lemon juice.
Good Advice18