As of: March 1, 2024, 5:00 p.m
By: Andreas Beez
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Brushing your teeth is particularly important in the evening - otherwise it's easier for treacherous bacteria.
Professor Hannes Wachtel explains the very specific dangers.
The expert: |
Professor Dr. Hannes Wachtel |
Function: |
Dentist, periodontist, medical director of the Implaneo Dental Clinic in Munich-Bogenhausen |
Research work: |
University Charité Berlin and University of Gothenburg |
Areas of expertise: |
Periodontology, minimally invasive implantology, digital dentistry |
Tired, a little lazy or dozing off on the coach - it can happen that you skip brushing your teeth before going to bed.
But this is not without health benefits at all, because it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases!
Here Prof. Hannes Wachtel from the Implaneo Dental Clinic explains the connections.
Widespread disease affects many millions of people
Experienced periodontist: Professor Hannes Wachtel, medical director of the Implaneo Dental Clinic in Munich.
© Implaneo
As a rule of thumb, the recommendation is to brush your teeth at least twice a day - please use dental floss in addition to the toothbrush to thoroughly clean the spaces between them.
Otherwise, bacteria that can cause periodontitis will settle in so-called tooth pockets.
This is a disease of the periodontium that affects many millions, often unconsciously.
Prof. Hannes Wachtel warns: Dangerous pathogens can enter the bloodstream
There are around 700 different types of bacteria lurking in the mouth.
Most are harmless, but a few can cause serious damage to the body.
© IMAGO/Zoonar.com/Cigdem Simsek
If left untreated, periodontitis leads to tooth loss and can also give rise to other diseases.
Dangerous germs from the mouth can reach the entire body via the bloodstream and cause vascular diseases, including heart valve disease, heart attack or stroke.
A dental professor explains how to recognize the risk.
The risk of bacteria spreading in the body increases significantly if you don't brush your teeth in the evening.
This emerges from a study carried out by Japanese scientists at Osaka University.
The warning signs of dangerous bacteria in the mouth
In order to detect the widespread disease periodontitis as early as possible, it is important to pay attention to alarm signals.
If you have these symptoms, you should consult a dentist or periodontist as soon as possible: swollen and red gums, discolored teeth, bleeding gums when brushing your teeth or cleaning your teeth, for example with a toothpick, receding gums, yellowish, egg-like fluid on the gum line, sometimes bad breath, a change in the position of your teeth or gaps in your teeth .
Also ask your parents or siblings whether they lost teeth early due to loosening.
The predisposition to developing periodontitis can also be hereditary.
Important: “The earlier the disease is treated, the greater the chances of success.
Once gums and bones are destroyed, they can only be restored with great effort,” emphasizes Professor Wachtel.
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Heart alarm: Better chances of survival for people who brush their teeth regularly
The results showed, among other things, that the cardiovascular risk is significantly increased for people who only brush their teeth in the morning.
Conversely, it became clear that those who conscientiously care for their teeth morning and evening have a better chance of survival in the event of cardiovascular events.
Don't miss anything: You can find everything about health in the regular newsletter from our partner 24vita.de.
Scientist Wachtel: “The dangerous toxins are located in the walls of the bacteria”
The researchers suspect a connection between the spread of bacteria and reduced saliva production at night.
This mechanism leads to an increased number of bacteria in the mouth.
There are around 700 different types of pathogens there.
“The vast majority are harmless, but around ten of these pathogen types are considered highly aggressive.
They belong to the group of so-called gram-negative anaerobic bacteria.
There are a lot of toxins in their walls,” explains Professor Hannes Wachtel, who has researched this topic for decades.
Periodontitis bacteria nest in pockets around the necks of teeth
In periodontitis, these germs nest in pockets around the necks of the teeth.
They first destroy the gum skin, then penetrate the gums and cause chronic inflammation.
Over time, these attack the jawbone.
Bone substance is lost until the teeth become loose and ultimately fall out.
This means that the patient also loses a protective shield against bacteria.
When healthy, gums and teeth are practically glued together.
If this solid tissue structure is now dissolved, a barrier is eliminated.
The bacteria enter the bloodstream unhindered.