Given that the gums are the starting point for dental health, they are not merely oral tissues but the primary fortress determining the success or failure of a lifetime of health.

The toothpaste brand '2080' signifies keeping one's 20-year-old teeth until the age of 80. Dental health is so important that it can be considered synonymous with physical health. While there is a saying that "if you lose your teeth, you can just live with your gums," this is a complete misconception from a medical perspective. 

Not only are gums alone incapable of properly chewing food, but the loss of chewing stimulation also means that the healthy stimulation sent to the brain disappears. In fact, research findings suggest that losing teeth and switching to dentures can lead to a decline in memory and an increased risk of dementia. 

Given that the gums are the starting point for dental health, they are not merely oral tissues but the primary fortress determining the success or failure of a lifetime of health.

If the gums are breached, the entire body collapses: The Gum Leak Syndrome

One concept that has recently drawn attention in the medical community is "Gum Leak Syndrome." Much like "Leaky Gut Syndrome," where the intestinal mucosa is damaged and allows toxins to leak into the body, this refers to the phenomenon where the gingival mucosa is breached, allowing bacteria and viruses to infiltrate the bloodstream.

The gums are densely packed with capillaries and exposed to the outside, making them susceptible to injury from food or physical irritation. If harmful bacteria in the mouth proliferate and cause chronic inflammation in the gums, these toxins can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.

As a result, they contaminate the blood, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke, and attack brain cells, potentially causing degenerative diseases like dementia. It is also known that gum inflammation can be an underlying cause of chronic arthritis of unknown origin. This is because the human body is interconnected as one.

Diabetes is both a result and a cause of gum disease. When chronic inflammation and bacteria from the gums spread throughout the body via blood vessels, they increase insulin resistance, which in turn hinders blood sugar control. In fact, it is known that patients with periodontal disease have a higher incidence of diabetes than the general population. Conversely, complications from diabetes can damage the capillaries in the gums, leading to tooth loss.

7 Preventive Measures to Support Beneficial Oral Bacteria and Protect Your Gums

The beginning of gum health lies in suppressing harmful oral bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria to firmly defend the gingival mucosa. To achieve this, first, you must avoid foods that are bad for the gums. Flour-based products, fried foods, sugar, greasy foods, and processed convenience foods are not only harmful to the body but are the primary culprits behind explosive growth in both intestinal and oral harmful bacteria.

Second, you must avoid alcohol, smoking, and excessive caffeine. Research shows that smokers are 1.5 to 2.3 times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Furthermore, the nicotine and tar in cigarettes constrict peripheral blood vessels in the gums, hindering blood circulation and blocking the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the gum tissue. This triggers gum inflammation and makes it easier for tartar to accumulate.

Alcohol lowers the body's immunity and worsens periodontal disease, while caffeine promotes oral dryness through its diuretic effect, contributing to bacterial growth.

Third, avoid overwork and improve sleep quality. You may have noticed that when you are tired, your mouth feels particularly coated and your bad breath worsens. This is evidence that harmful bacteria have gained the upper hand; therefore, you should work in moderation and get sufficient sleep.

Fourth, refrain from the overuse of chemical mouthwashes. While commercial chemical mouthwashes have the function of removing harmful bacteria, they have the side effect of wiping out beneficial bacteria that are essential to our bodies. Remember that habitual, long-term use can disrupt the oral ecosystem.

Fifth, oil pulling, based on Indian Ayurvedic medicine, is an excellent method for oral cleansing. If you hold a tablespoon of coconut oil, olive oil, or perilla oil in your mouth and swish it for 10 minutes or more, the oil reacts with your saliva (which is alkaline) to create a "saponification" effect. This natural soapy liquid absorbs and removes bacteria and toxins from corners that a toothbrush cannot reach, while coating and protecting the gingival mucosa.

Sixth is "salt water gargling." Gargling with salt water suppresses harmful oral bacteria and increases the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. Applying fine, powdered salt to your finger and gently massaging your gums is also an effective method.

Seventh, whenever you have time, lightly tap the area around your mouth and cheeks with your fingertips. This promotes blood circulation around the oral cavity and stimulates saliva secretion, which helps make the gums stronger.

Changing your diet and caring for your gums might feel a bit tedious, but these small habits can change not only your physical health but also your life in old age.

◆ Director Park Chan-young

Director of Eoseongcho Oriental Medicine Clinic in Sadang-dong, Seoul. Holds a doctorate in Oriental Medicine from Dongguk University. He created a "detox sensation" in Korea through appearances on TV health programs such as MBN’s "The King of Thumbs." His books include "Curing Atopy and Acne with Eoseongcho," "Condiments are Medicine," and "The Miracle of Detox."