- 2 days ago
Mouth ulcers, gum disease, cavities; even the tongue — can provide warnings of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Learn what your mouth says about health.
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00:06remember the COVID-19 pandemic around the world most of us were wearing masks that was especially
00:13hard on children who couldn't tell if the person opposite them was happy angry or stressed the
00:20mouth has a lot to say about what's going on inside us not just our mood but also our physical
00:27well-being scientists are working on a simple mouth swab to predict metabolic diseases such as
00:34diabetes what do teeth tongue and cavities reveal about health find out on in good shape
00:55this is eddie who until recently was happy with his teeth
00:59i suddenly noticed my gums were bleeding when i brushed my teeth i wondered why and started to
01:10panic a little bit eddie is 36 he's physically active is a keen and conscientious cook who brushes
01:18his teeth regularly good prerequisites for a healthy oral microbiome our mouths are home to around 700
01:27types of bacteria the exact makeup of microbes is unique to each individual and is influenced by
01:34factors such as genes diet and oral hygiene an intact bacterial balance helps protect the teeth
01:41and gums but if that balance is disturbed and harmful germs take over it can lead to tooth decay
01:47and gum disease that was the case with eddie who now has to get regular dental treatments
01:57it's a chronic infection that spreads through the bloodstream and is normally detrimental to the
02:02individual's overall health it increases the risk of dementia rheumatoid diseases cardiovascular disease
02:10high blood pressure and diabetes diabetes to prevent that happening the dentist is helping eddie reduce
02:17the inflammation so what does gum disease actually involve
02:25bacteria settle in the pockets surrounding the teeth and attack the gums and eventually the jawbone
02:32if left untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and further illnesses in other parts of the body
02:40the dentist's immediate aim is therefore to restore the microbiome balance in eddie's mouth
02:48our task is now to clean the surface deep inside these pockets to remove the bacteria
02:54treat the inflamed tissue and reduce the swelling in the pockets this helps restore a healthier environment
03:01that the immune system can cope with more effectively risk factors include poor oral hygiene smoking
03:09and alcohol as well as genetic influences the dentist uses ultrasound and laser technology to remove
03:17the harmful bacteria from eddie's gum pockets he'll have to return for check-ups every three months
03:25early stage treatment won't get rid of it completely but it does help to slow it down
03:32so has the inflammation already affected other parts of eddie's body checking his long-term blood
03:38sugar levels should provide answers the inflammatory response caused by periodontitis leads to an increase
03:46in long-term blood sugar levels as the inflammation recedes the blood sugar goes down
03:54here at the university of halle a team is looking into the potential links between gum disease and serious
04:01illnesses this patient had a stroke and doctors suspect that gum disease may have been a factor
04:09we have been told we studied 1000 patients with coronary heart disease and examined their periodontal
04:16status we tracked them down over a period of 10 years and found that patients with severe gum disease
04:22disease had a 1.3-fold increased risk of further cardiovascular events and the reason doctors have three
04:31possible explanations one bacteria in the mouth produce what are called endotoxins they travel through the
04:38body via the bloodstream and can trigger inflammation elsewhere in the vascular system
04:46two the bacteria themselves enter the bloodstream and end up causing damage for example to the arteries
04:56three the bacteria activate local immune cells that release cytokines substances that increase disease
05:04at other vulnerable areas of the body in the case of a stroke patient dental treatment has already shown results
05:12the researchers believe his risk of having another has fallen they've also identified another link
05:19that the composition of oral bacteria could potentially influence rheumatic diseases
05:28we've detected dna from bacteria that normally reside in the oral cavity
05:32in the joint fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients in particular dna from porphyromonas
05:39gingivitis the primary pathogen in gum disease the connection with rheumatoid diseases has now been well
05:47established while there is also emerging evidence for links to other illnesses such as cancer but it's
05:54still early days on the research front the objective is to identify harmful bacteria so they can be
06:01combated in the future with medication or possibly toothpaste our growing understanding of the
06:09complexity of the microbiome will benefit diagnosis and treatment the aim is to restore the balance of
06:16bacteria or microorganisms in general and re-establish a state of eubiosis meaning a healthy environment and a
06:23stable biofilm so what about eddie and his long-term blood sugar level
06:38fortunately it's improved quite a bit after 5.2 in the first test we're now down to 5.0 which
06:46is good
06:48so the treatment is working but the biggest factor for eddie's future health is sound oral hygiene
06:55he regularly cleans between his teeth with interdental brushes but ideally he also needs to clean his tongue
07:03to reduce the bacterial load research shows that proper oral hygiene can reduce the risk of disease
07:11disease and not just the kind that affects our gums
07:17new studies indicate that gum inflammation and tooth decay can double the risk of a stroke
07:25you might think this only affects older people but even 35 year olds with periodontitis often have high
07:32blood pressure and that can later trigger heart attacks and strokes so if you have gum problems it's
07:39worth getting your blood pressure checked frequent dentist visits also have another advantage tumors
07:47in the throat and pharynx are detected earlier and that improves the chances of recovery regular checkups
07:54at the dentist are therefore not only good for your teeth but for your health overall because the mouth
08:00often contains clues about underlying conditions in many cultures poking your tongue out is considered rude
08:07but in a medical context it can be helpful for the tongue an exciting new day begins
08:16first up breakfast a true highlight just thinking about it gets the saliva flowing especially from the
08:23underside of the tongue together with other glands in the mouth we produce around one liter of saliva
08:30every day that saliva mixes with our food as we chew kick-starting the digestion process and making it easier
08:38to swallow
08:40while we're chewing the tongue gets to work inspecting what we've just popped into our mouths
08:47the tip in particular is packed with touch sensitive nerve cells allowing it to analyze the texture of food with
08:54impressive precision
08:57and warn us if something's too hot
09:02but that's just the beginning we analyze the chemical makeup of what we eat with the help of
09:07thousands of taste buds on the tongue each made up of about a hundred nerve cells
09:13they give us vital clues about the contents of our food the tongue distinguishes between five basic taste categories
09:25a sweet flavor signals energy in the form of sugar
09:30the balance between sweet and sour tells us how ripe a fruit is
09:35and sour fruits often contain valuable vitamin c umami indicates glutamate a key component of most proteins
09:45salt in the right amount tastes good to us because we need it for things like sweat gland function
09:52a bitter taste on the other hand is nature's warning sign indicating toxins or spoiled food
09:59there were slight bitter notes can actually mean the food is rich in nutrients and good for us
10:07to make sure everything gets chewed evenly the tongue moves food around the mouth
10:12before eventually pushing it toward the throat to trigger the swallowing reflex
10:17inner and outer muscles give the tongue an amazing flexibility
10:22which is great because chatting is another one of its favorite activities
10:29the larynx sets air in motion with the tongue shaping it into sounds we can understand
10:35the tongue moves with incredible speed and precision helping us shape the full range of sounds we use to speak
10:45the tongue stays busy throughout the day
10:50it helps clean our teeth and interacts with the world in countless ways
10:56that's why the immune system pays close attention to what the tongue experiences
11:01after all it's often the first organ to come into contact with potential pathogens
11:09the color of the tongue can reveal a lot about our health
11:12a white coating is usually caused by bacteria from an infection or by a cold
11:18a yellowish tint can sometimes be linked to liver issues
11:24and a purple or bluish tongue might signal a lack of oxygen possibly due to a lung condition
11:33the tongue's favorite look is bright pink that's usually a sign that it and the rest of the body
11:39is in good health
11:42sometimes the tongue even makes itself known at night
11:46because after a busy day if it relaxes too much it can block the airways putting on a noisy nighttime
11:52performance
11:57the tongue also plays an important role in partner choice at least in parts of the world where relationships involve
12:05kissing
12:07during a kiss the tongue perceives the other partners taste and smell and checks whether they're genetically compatible
12:15saliva is also exchanged that promotes the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin and levels of other hormones rise too
12:24but when you have ulcers or sores around or in your mouth kissing becomes less appealing what can you do
12:35hulaya arkin has had reoccurring mouth ulcers for 30 years and is on her way to see her dentist for
12:42a checkup
12:42any open sore in her mouth means she can't eat food that's too spicy
12:47sour or tough her husband mamut describes her suffering
12:51anything acidic or hot brings tears to her eyes it's that painful
13:03something like chris bread is even too much even just a tiny bit really hurts
13:14her dentist alexander frost discovered a new sore three weeks ago
13:24mouth ulcers are open sores
13:28they're known for being extremely painful
13:31today he wants to see whether her ulcer has fully healed
13:47the dentist says everything looks normal and that her body's done a great job of restoring the healthy tissue
13:56he also has photos of the saw at different stages
14:00it had a diameter of nearly six millimeters a reddish border and a pale layer of protein called fibrin
14:12what many people think is that pus is in fact fibrin which is the body's own tissue adhesive
14:22its presence is a sign that the wound is healing mouth ulcers occur in different spots on mucous membranes
14:30on the inside of the cheeks on the lips the palate the gums and the tongue
14:38the most common type of minor aftis ulcers small sores usually less than a centimeter in size that
14:45typically take seven to ten days to heal on their own
14:49major aftis ulcers are larger than a centimeter penetrate deeper into the tissue can persist for
14:56several weeks and can leave scars her pediform aftis ulcers are clusters of very small sores
15:03around one to two millimeters in size that usually heal within seven to ten days without scarring
15:09mouth ulcers can be treated symptomatically with local anesthetics basically numbing ointments
15:20cortisone-based creams can help reduce inflammation
15:24and antiseptic mouth rinses are also good for disinfecting
15:35as doctors do not yet understand exactly what causes canker sores to form treatments focus on
15:42the symptoms what they do know is that they can be triggered by factors that affect the immune system
15:48such as stress sun exposure or smoking in most cases however the painful sores heal on their own
15:57without complications there are other painful conditions affecting the mouth's mucous membrane
16:04such as small blisters caused by herpes or fungal infections leading to white patches that can be wiped
16:11away whitish nodules or web-like patterns may indicate lichen planus another common condition that affects the lining of the
16:20mouth
16:21hula aiken is relieved that her mouth ulcer has healed she can now eat pain free and enjoy a hot
16:29cup of tea
16:32mouth ulcers or canker sores can also be caused by emotional stress it weakens the immune system tea can help
16:40teas made with chamomile or sage can fight ulcers in the mouth
16:46chamomile green tea or passion flower can help you calm down during periods of stress
16:53studies show that just one or two cups a day can help that doesn't just make you calmer it can
16:58also
16:58relieve tension and in doing so even protects your teeth some people are grinders while others are
17:07clenched clenches both put enormous pressure on teeth and the jaw up to 480 kilograms per square
17:15centimetre that's 10 times more than during regular chewing it's estimated that 10 percent of the
17:23population suffer from what is known as brooksism carina wilkes has been grinding her teeth for years
17:32especially at night and so intensively that for six years she could only open her mouth one or two
17:39centimeters and was barely able to eat the tension in my jaw got more and more severe and eventually it
17:49led to my jaw locking the teeth grinding had gotten worse and worse we've found a range of people
18:01to speak to who've had a similar ordeal with grinding or clenching their teeth
18:07i got a crown in my early 30s and grinding my teeth at night eventually cracked it
18:15i kept getting headaches and my teeth hurt it felt like a muscle ache
18:24it started when i was around 16 or 17 i had severe headaches but it took a while for them
18:31to find a
18:32cause the problem is that people often grind or clench their teeth unconsciously at night
18:42and aren't even aware until the damage occurs the causes and effects of brooksism are the subject of
18:51ongoing research around the world new findings show that processes in the brain also play a role
18:57as hamburg dentist oliver alex knows we're currently seeing a massive increase in the number of studies
19:09on this subject what we still don't know is to what extent the body's neurotransmitter systems are
19:15involved a series of studies suggests that when the chewing muscles tighten up activity in different
19:22areas of the brain changes anna walovski is a professor of dental medicine what she's repeatedly observed
19:34among her patients is that brooksism is a particular form of stress relief some people develop stomach
19:44ulcers or stomach pain why in some cases the strain affects the teeth is difficult to say conclusively
19:51but it may be related to the idea that clenching your teeth along the lines of grip your teeth and
19:57just
19:57do it creates a feeling of relief in stressful situations when teeth are repeatedly rubbed or clenched
20:08together they wear down the resulting damage to the enamel makes the teeth more sensitive
20:15in severe cases even the dentin can be exposed potentially resulting in the teeth cracking or being lost altogether
20:27teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are particularly at risk
20:34the chewing muscles also come under excessive strain which can lead to severe pain throughout the
20:40in the heart and leading the body as an eye on our chin in the head and neck
20:45He had it in my chest man and a lot of tension in my neck
20:48I had constant headaches and a lot of tension in my neck
20:51I had constant headaches and a lot of tension in my neck sometimes i couldn't turn my head
20:54I saw an ear, nose and throat specialist because of severe ear pain
20:58and then ended up being referred to a psychologist.
21:02They then said I was in the wrong place because this was more than psychological.
21:07And the treatment options are as varied as the symptoms.
21:11Surprisingly, the immediate aim is not to completely cut out the grinding and clenching.
21:19Sure, I could try to make a patient stop grinding or clenching.
21:24But whether that would work out is another matter.
21:27And even if I did, the individual would lose an outlet for stress
21:31and then it might affect another part of the body.
21:36This is why we talk about managing bruxism,
21:41meaning that once the tension reaches levels that harm the body,
21:45it's normally time for a dentist to intervene.
21:52What they can provide is a bite splint like this,
21:56which will certainly protect the teeth.
21:59While it doesn't stop the grinding or clenching itself,
22:03it can help relieve the muscle tension and reduce strain on the jaw.
22:10Karina Wilkes uses a specially designed bite splint to counter her night-time grinding.
22:20I can't sleep without it anymore.
22:22If I do, my neck hurts in the morning,
22:25I get headaches and I can barely open my jaw again.
22:28And then it takes a long time to get moving.
22:34An osteopath helped her regain the ability to open her mouth.
22:39Oliver Blinker's techniques look uncomfortable,
22:42but they helped restore movement in her jaw.
22:45The focus is on the joint capsule.
22:53About 98% of the pain comes from the jaw capsule.
22:57So in most cases it has to be stretched.
23:01Typically the capsule will be too tight,
23:03which restricts free movement of the jaw point.
23:08I immediately felt a difference.
23:10It hurt, but it was amazing.
23:12After just the first session,
23:14I could open my mouth wider,
23:16at least a centimetre more.
23:20Physiotherapy for the jaw can also be painful,
23:23but it's very effective with muscle tension in the face.
23:26First, it improves circulation.
23:28Then special techniques help release tightness
23:31and loosen the relevant tissue.
23:35Whether you're a grinder or a clencher,
23:38to protect your teeth and jaw joints,
23:41it's important to keep an eye on your stress levels
23:45so you can keep biting properly and painlessly
23:48for years to come.
23:54Attractive teeth are for many people
23:56a symbol of beauty and health,
23:59and ideally teeth should be as white as possible.
24:02The best thing, brush twice a day.
24:05That not only removes plaque,
24:07but also strengthens the surface of the teeth.
24:10Crunchy fruit and vegetables stimulate the flow of saliva
24:13and in this way clean the teeth.
24:15Baking soda for whitening, on the other hand,
24:18isn't a good choice.
24:19It destroys enamel.
24:20Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar make teeth porous.
24:24Other suggestions on social media can be harmful too.
24:29Influencers are buzzing about bleaching strips.
24:32My teeth got really white.
24:34They're incredible.
24:37Bleaching strips are going viral.
24:40Millions of clicks, countless how-to videos.
24:44Influencers promote them as a cheap alternative
24:47to professional teeth whitening,
24:49which can cost hundreds of euros at a dental clinic.
24:54DIY bleaching is trending,
24:57promising visibly whiter teeth in just 30 minutes.
25:02The influencers show their followers the process
25:06with step-by-step instructions.
25:09Wow.
25:11This is my first time.
25:13But dentists warn that many strips contain
25:16very high levels of hydrogen peroxide
25:18that can damage the teeth.
25:25They can lead to fine cracks in the enamel
25:28and damaged fillings.
25:29These strips can cause permanent damage
25:32to the teeth and gums.
25:36The videos rarely focus on education.
25:40It's all about the wow effect.
25:43Some posts are pure advertising,
25:45with creators earning money from sales.
25:48The hype is huge.
25:50Online, everything shines white, including risks.
25:54We've reached the end of the show,
25:56and we hope it made you smile.
25:58We care about your smile.
26:00Thanks for watching,
26:01and see you again next time.
26:03Bye-bye.
26:03Bye-bye.
26:05Bye-bye.
26:07Bye-bye.
26:08Bye-bye.
26:09Bye-bye.
26:10Bye-bye.
26:10Bye-bye.
26:11You
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