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终身健康的咀嚼功能。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。本研究的目的是阐明咀嚼与一般健康的关系。在基础研究中，研究表明，咀嚼激活的脑组胺功能较早开始于三叉神经中脑核，较晚开始于下丘脑腹内侧核，这是由于来自口腔本体感受器的信号由咀嚼启动。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。这种新的方法是为了方便地可视化和诊断由光电运动分析系统测量的下颌运动。研制了下颌运动跟踪系统与牙形三维数字化测量系统相结合的测量系统，用于记录下颌运动过程中的咬合接触。乳牙期前牙反牙合儿童习惯性张口运动时的切迹和髁状突轨迹与正常牙列儿童的比较。这些发现表明，咀嚼不仅对食物的摄取非常重要，而且对系统和身体功能也非常重要。

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.