The relationship between teeth and the brain, beauty, and the youthful effect of white teeth

[Special Topic III] Teeth

31. The relationship between teeth, the brain, and beauty

It is well known that chewing stimulates the brain.

It's said that monkeys that have half their teeth removed shortly after birth are more likely to fall from trees while climbing, and monkeys that have all their teeth removed cannot climb trees at all. It's also said that between golfers of equal skill, those with all their teeth and those with dentures can fly 20 yards apart.

For top athletes, teeth are also the source of explosive power. Our head dentist once adjusted the molars of speed skater Hiroyasu Shimizu, playing a crucial role in developing his outstanding instantaneous explosive speed.

Experiments on learning and memory abilities were conducted using mice. Mice whose molars were removed showed a 12-fold difference in the number of times they misplaced food after 7 weeks compared to mice that did not have their teeth removed. Further anatomical studies of hippocampal pyramidal nerve cells, which play a role in brain memory and information transmission, revealed that mice whose molars were removed had approximately 40% fewer nerve cells compared to mice that did not have their teeth removed.

Tooth alignment is universal!

In Europe and America, teeth are a symbol of a person's background or character, and middle-class or above families will definitely have their teeth straightened from a young age. Although they may not say it, when evaluating your work ability and appearance, people with misaligned teeth will be unknowingly penalized.

While orthodontic treatment is certainly related to aesthetics, it plays a crucial role in achieving proper occlusion. Malocclusion can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder and become the root cause of various unexplained discomforts such as headaches, shoulder pain, and back pain.

The author Mariko Hayashi's transformation into a smaller-looking face through orthodontic treatment when she was nearly 50 years old became a hot topic. In recent years, it's become increasingly common for adults to undergo orthodontic treatment. Men typically catch up with the trend about 10 years later than women, and several years ago, I saw many men in their 40s and 50s getting braces. The process usually takes about two years, and everyone's appearance improved significantly.

However, orthodontic treatment is not covered by insurance and requires the professional knowledge and skills of a dentist. Since it will cost at least 500,000 yen, it is advisable to seek information from acquaintances or consult with doctors other than your primary dentist.

32. White teeth give you a youthful appearance.

Have you ever noticed the color of your teeth? Actually, it's this difference in tooth color that can dramatically change your youthful appearance.

Logically, the color of human teeth depends on factors such as the transparency and thickness of the enamel on the tooth surface, and the color of the dentin itself. People who are born with yellow teeth have genetic factors such as "thin and transparent enamel, and a light and easily visible inner dentin color." Additionally, similar to tea stains on a cup, staining from drinking black tea, coffee, green tea, oolong tea, red wine, or tobacco stains can also cause teeth to yellow.

Another reason why teeth of middle-aged and elderly people turn particularly yellow is that the color of dentin gradually darkens with age.

First consult a dentist.

When middle-aged and elderly men become aware of the color of their teeth, they strive to improve it and achieve unexpected results.

First, it is recommended to consult a dentist. Reversing yellowing teeth caused by years of environmental factors into "young, snow-white teeth" is difficult to achieve simply by brushing. While proper brushing techniques or the use of abrasive tooth powder can achieve some results in daily life, for stubborn stains, forcefully rubbing with abrasive tooth powder may damage the enamel. This should be taken seriously.

Tooth color isn't necessarily better the whiter it is; it should harmonize with a person's skin, hair, and lip color. Furthermore, preferences vary across different countries and groups; for example, Americans prefer snow-white teeth, while Europeans often prefer slightly yellowish teeth.

Therefore, dentists who are proficient in "teeth whitening" often have more than 10 different types of tooth specimens of different levels and colors, and decide the color according to each person's specific situation.

Effective measures and treatments for yellow teeth performed by dentists include:

● Teeth cleaning

● Whitening

● Makeup

● Veneers (Porcelain Crowns)

How about we start by making some plans based on your desired level of teeth whiteness, treatment duration, and budget?

33. The amount of saliva is a measure of your youth.

Did you know that people with low saliva production look older?

In fact, the amount of saliva can be used as a measure of youth. Saliva not only moisturizes the mouth, but also plays a vital role in transporting nutrients to the body, in addition to its antibacterial and digestive functions. As we age, saliva production decreases. Poor oral hygiene leading to periodontal disease or excessive mental stress can both cause a reduction in saliva production.

People with low saliva production have weaker antibacterial and immune systems, and their saliva has very high oxidative stress levels, leading to bad breath and accelerated aging. Conversely, people with high saliva production have increased secretion of DHEA, a key sex hormone, and some data suggest a direct correlation between the two. In short, abundant saliva indicates a youthful body. It not only keeps the mouth moist but also suggests delicate skin. This applies to both men and women.

In addition, other indicators of longevity in men include high DHEA levels, low insulin levels, and low body temperature.

A high DHEA level indicates a large amount of saliva, so men who produce more saliva are generally healthier and live longer.

Gymnastics to improve salivary gland function

Please pay attention to your saliva production. First, assess your periodontal health. We often hear that people with few cavities are less likely to see a dentist, thus increasing their risk of periodontal disease. Currently, nearly 85% of people in Japan suspect they have periodontal disease, so it's recommended that people over 40 see a dentist every six months. Ideally, chew some sugar-based gum while brushing your teeth after each meal. Chewing stimulates the secretion of a growth hormone called parotid hormone, which helps maintain youthfulness and also exercises the aging tongue and oral muscles!

Below are some exercises to improve salivary gland function; it is recommended to make them a daily habit.

① Move the tip of the tongue in a circular motion along the inside of the upper and lower gums 2-3 times.

② Move the tip of your tongue up and down on the inside of your left and right cheeks 10 times each.

③ Make a "beep! beep!" sound 10 times with your tongue against the roof of your mouth.