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

牙科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。本研究的目的是阐明咀嚼和一般健康之间的关系。在基础研究中，它表明，咀嚼激活的脑组胺功能开始较早的中脑三叉神经核和腹内侧下丘脑核，饱腹感中心，由于信号起源于口腔本体感受器和咀嚼启动。提示由食物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能量平衡的改变，从而影响肥胖。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。新方法的发展，以方便可视化和诊断下颌运动测量的光电运动分析系统。将下颌运动跟踪系统与三维数字化仪相结合，建立了下颌运动过程中咬合接触的测量系统。乳牙期前牙反牙合与正常牙列儿童习惯性张口运动中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是非常重要的。

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.