The research of the influence of mastication on general health from the view of brain function

口腔医学的主要目标之一是实现咀嚼功能的终身健康。然而，直到最近，咀嚼对人体整体健康的影响和意义仍然不确定。本研究的目的是澄清咀嚼与一般健康之间的关系。在基础研究中，我们发现咀嚼激活的脑组胺功能在中脑三叉神经核较早开始，在饱腹感中枢下丘脑腹内侧核较晚开始，这是由于一个来自口腔本体感受器并由咀嚼启动的信号。提示由食物黏稠度引起的口腔本体感觉的差异及其在下丘脑的信号处理引起了影响肥胖的能量平衡的改变。在临床研究中，比较了儿童和成人咀嚼不同质地果冻过程中咀嚼运动的变化。利用光电运动分析系统对下颌运动进行可视化和诊断。该测量系统将下颌运动跟踪系统与三维齿形数字化仪相结合，用于记录下颌运动时的咬合接触。初级牙列前反咬儿童与正常牙列儿童习惯性张嘴运动时的切牙和髁突路径比较。这些结果表明，咀嚼不仅对食物的摄入，而且对全身和身体功能都有重要作用。

One of the main goals of dentistry is to achieve lifelong health of the masticatory function. Until very recently, however, the influence and significance of mastication on the global health of the human body have remained uncertain. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between mastication and general health.In the basic study, it was indicated that brain histamine function activated by mastication began earlier in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and later in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, the satiety center, due to a signal originating from the oral proprioceptors and initiated by chewing. And it was suggested the difference of oral proprioceptive sensation originated from food consistency and its signal procession in the hypothalamus caused the changes in energy balance that affects adiposity.In the clinical study, the changes of chewing movement in the process of mastication of jelly with different texture were compared between children and adults. The new method was developed for easy visualization and diagnosis of mandibular movement measured by an opto-electonic movement analysis system. The measurement system that combined a tracking system for mandibular movements with a three-dimensioned digitizer for tooth shape was developed to record occlusal contacts during mandibular movement. Incisal and condylar paths during habitual mouth opening movement of children with anterior reverse bite in the primary dentition compared to those of children with normal dentition. These findings indicate that mastication is of great importance not only for the intake of food but also for the systemic and physical functions.