Our Blog
Is the mouth the new biological marker of longevity?
Image by wayhomestudio on Magnific
Dr. Nadia Sarmini, a dentist specializing in cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery and implantology, trainer and director of Clínica Dental Bernabéu, invites us to reflect on how taking care of our mouth not only improves our smile, but could also be the secret to a longer and healthier life, presenting itself as the first shield against systemic aging.
As we age, our mouths, like the rest of our bodies, undergo changes that can affect our overall health and quality of life. A lack of proper dental care can contribute to the development of several common age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
The mouth: the mirror of your biological age:
The oral cavity functions as a dynamic ecosystem that provides constant information about the body's internal state. As the primary entry point for microorganisms and in direct contact with the circulatory system through the gums, any alteration in this environment has an immediate impact on the rest of the body. For Dr. Nadia Sarmini, a leading expert with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, oral diagnosis is a window into overall health.
“The mouth is not an isolated part of the body; it is an early indicator of biological imbalances that often go unnoticed in other medical tests, allowing us to read our systemic health long before obvious symptoms appear in other organs,” explains the doctor.
Today, it is proven that oral infections, such as periodontal disease, are linked to various systemic conditions. This underscores the importance of including dental care as an essential part of a preventative health strategy. At Clínica Dental Bernabéu, the approach is clear: prevention is key.
"It is essential that patients understand that oral health directly affects their overall well-being. Maintaining proper hygiene and having regular checkups can prevent complications that affect not only the mouth, but the health of the entire body," says the doctor.
"Inflammaging": the risk of silent dental inflammation.
One of the biggest obstacles to long-term health is chronic low-grade inflammation, known as "inflammaging." The mouth is often the primary source of this inflammatory response, which accelerates cellular wear and tear. Bacteria from oral infections or gum disease can enter the bloodstream, triggering processes that directly affect cardiovascular and cognitive health. As the doctor points out, "What happens in the gums doesn't stay in them; persistent inflammation compromises the vitality of the entire body and accelerates the biological clock."
Oral microbiome: the guardian of immunity.
The oral cavity harbors the second most complex bacterial ecosystem in the human body. A persistent imbalance in this environment disrupts the overall microbiota, an essential factor for maintaining a resilient immune system and efficient digestion.
Preserving this balance represents the true "luxury" in health, as it allows the protection of the patient's biological capital so that their functionality does not decrease over the decades.
Technology to monitor life.
To chart this path towards longevity, the Bernabéu Dental Clinic operates under a 100% digital workflow that allows for previously unattainable precision diagnoses.
Using high-resolution intraoral scanners such as the 3Shape TRIOS and iTero, real-time images are captured, facilitating the detection of erosions or pathologies before they become symptomatic. This technological arsenal is complemented by the Orthophos system for 2D and 3D radiology, which allows for the study of bone density with minimal radiation doses.
Prevention as a life strategy.
Oral health should be a proactive self-care strategy. To truly impact long-term quality of life, digital diagnostics becomes indispensable for performing minimally invasive interventions.
“Early diagnosis using advanced technology allows us to intervene with absolute precision, avoiding the loss of teeth and the inflammatory impact that this entails for the rest of the body,” concludes Dr. Sarmini.