The footsteps of winter are approaching day by day. Isn't there a lot of people who are more likely to get sick in winter due to the drop in temperature and dry air?
Therefore, the key to preventive care is the immune system.
There are several ways to strengthen your immune system, but the one I want to focus on this winter is the oral cavity.
In fact, there is a close relationship between the state of the mouth and the immune system. We asked Dr. Satoshi Watanabe, Director of Nissei Dentistry Hatogaya Clinic, about the specifics of how it works.

Everyone's immune function tends to decline in winter... 

“Immunity is a self-defense system that is necessary to avoid infection, disease, and unwanted invading organisms. A weakened immune system not only makes you more likely to catch a cold, but also makes you more prone to stomatitis, dry skin, and fatigue. symptoms such as becoming irritated,” says Dr. Watanabe.
Immune function varies from person to person, but it is said that even the same person can increase or decrease. It is especially easy to fall in winter.
“The rise and fall of body temperature are also related to immunity, and it is said that people with low body temperature tend to have a lower immune function. In the cold winter, body temperature tends to drop, which weakens the immune system.”
In addition, our immune function changes daily depending on our nutritional status, the presence or absence of stress, and the state of sleep.
Furthermore, Dr. Watanabe says, "Whether or not you brush your teeth properly affects your immune system." Did you know?

Depending on the state of the mouth, the intestinal environment will also deteriorate!?

“Various bacteria exist in the mouth. Bacteria such as dental plaque (biofilm, dental plaque) and tongue coating on the surface of the tongue inhibit the function of the immune system in the mouth. People with periodontal disease should also be careful, as the proteolytic enzymes of periodontal disease bacteria help the virus invade.”
It is said that not only colds but also viruses such as influenza enter through mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, and mouth. In other words, if the oral condition is bad, the risk of infection is also going up!

And the fact that there are surprisingly many people who are suffering from periodontal disease. “There is no doubt that more than 80% of adults suffer from periodontal disease. It is not the case that children are fine, but it is said that 50% of adults over the age of 15 suffer from periodontal disease.”

In addition, there is no denying the impact on the intestines. “If you have bad oral health, you will swallow pathogenic oral bacteria every day, which will adversely affect the balance of intestinal bacteria. As you know, intestinal bacteria have a great impact on immunity. Continuing to have many bad bacteria in the intestines may increase the risk of developing various diseases,” says Dr. Watanabe.

Keep your mouth clean and prevent dry mouth.

It has been found that the oral environment is related to immunity. So how should we prepare for it?
“The first thing to do is to brush your teeth properly. However, this is the most difficult task, and few people brush their teeth perfectly. I recommend that you have regular dental cleanings and tooth brushing instructions.”
The state of the oral cavity changes depending not only on how to brush your teeth every day, but also on the alignment of your teeth. It seems that the frequency of going to the clinic varies depending on the person, such as every week or once every six months.

And what you want to be careful about is dryness in your mouth, says Dr. Watanabe. The reason is saliva. “Saliva contains many antibacterial factors and has the function of shutting out bacteria that try to enter the body. It elevates
However, recently, the number of people with dry mouth has increased, and there are many people who have decreased saliva secretion.
“One of the reasons is that wearing too many masks makes you feel uncomfortable and you start breathing through your mouth. It will be less.”
The key is to keep your lips closed as much as possible, remember to breathe through your nose, and drink plenty of water during the day to prevent your mouth from drying out. Also, for those who open their mouths while sleeping, it is a good idea to take measures such as using a special tape.

“Vitamin C is useful for supporting saliva. Adequate intake of vitamin C leads to maintenance of internal health.”

Continuing to take vitamin C efficiently seems to be the key.

summary

It is important to keep your mouth clean, not to dry your mouth, and to replenish your vitamin C. Let's take care of it properly before we have a full-fledged winter.
Finally, I received some advice from Mr. Watanabe.

“It is known that the number of bacteria in the oral cavity increases significantly during sleep. When you wake up in the morning, first gargle or brush your teeth to remove the bacteria in your mouth. Perhaps it is better to drink water immediately after waking up. You may be here, but as I said before, it's like sending bad bacteria into your intestines.

Dr. Watanabe Satoshi Watanabe

Director of Nissei Dentistry Hatogaya Clinic. Comprehensive diagnosis from the inside of the mouth, rather than local and symptomatic treatment such as treatment only for tooth decay or treatment for periodontal disease only. He is known for his approach to treatment that is tailored to each individual patient.

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