Abstract
The decline in circulatory function with aging may be alleviated by a combination of gingival massage (physical stimulation) and mechanical cleaning. Several studies have reported the systemic effect of physical stimulation on various parts of the body, including its therapeutic effect on pain in the neck and shoulders that becomes evident with age, and improvement in blood circulation. In contrast, few studies have reported on the changes in gingival microcirculation induced by gingival massage, while no previous study has evaluated the effect of gingival microcirculation on age-related changes in the hemodynamics of the oral cavity. This study aimed to investigate how gingival massage affects age-related changes in gingival microcirculation. Male Wistar rats (7-week, 6-month and 1-year old) were prepared for a gingival massage group and a control group. Mechanical stimulation was applied on the maxillary molar gingiva for 5 seconds twice a week for 4 weeks. Subsequently, gingival reactive hyperemia was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter. In addition, morphological analyses were also performed by hematoxylin and eosin and Indian ink staining and a vascular resin cast model. Base Flow, maximum response (Peak), and time required for the maximum response to halve (T1/2) were reduced in 1-year-old rats compared with the other age groups. In the mechanical stimulated group, T1/2 was increased in 7-week, 6-month, and 1-year-old rats, and total blood flow (Mass) was increased in 6-month and 1-year-old rats. In addition, clear blood vessel networks and loop-like revascularization were only observed in the mechanical stimulated group. Changes in age-related decline in gingival microcirculatory function and vascular construction were reported in this study, and the results suggested that gingival massage activates both the functional and morphological aspects of gingival microcirculation and may be effective for maintaining oral health.
Highlights
Several studies have reported on the relationship between aging and conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and lifestyle diseases [1, 2]
GBF was immediately reduced in all blood flow measurements by applying pressure to the gingiva using the probe, and this action had no effect on cardiac function
We evaluated the vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels, with gingival reactive hyperemia (GRH) as the indicator, to determine the agerelated changes in hemodynamics of the oral cavity and improvements induced by physical stimulation
Summary
Several studies have reported on the relationship between aging and conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and lifestyle diseases [1, 2]. People tend to unconsciously touch, rub, massage, or apply pressure to these areas with peripheral circulatory failure or to areas with pain or discomfort caused by circulatory failure [4]. These actions are known as massage and are performed in different areas of the body [4, 5]. Studies using experimental ischemic models showed no change in gingival blood flow caused by periodontal disease [9]. Combining gingival massage with conventional approaches, such as removal of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease through mechanical cleaning, may effectively treat periodontal disease, whose incidence increases with age [5]
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