Curasept: Oralmonia—the new word in dentistry!

In this year’s series of interviews for the EFP Partner newsletter, the EFP is looking at the link between lifestyle, nutrition, and oral-health synergies and systemic health, which is now hardly disputed. From diabetes to cardiovascular problems, what goes on in the mouth does matter for the rest of the body. So, how are the EFP and its partners dealing with this?

In this interview we talk to Andrea Lemma, International Director at Curasept.

You may not have heard of this word: “Oralmonia”. Andrea Lemma explains that it is “the perfect equilibrium between dental health, systemic vitality, and metabolic function,” adding that it “actively promotes restful sleep, excellent dietary intake, and robust wellness, thereby maximizing overall public health, longevity, and physical performance.”

That is quite a claim, but it can be achieved by maintaining optimal oral hygiene and actually ties in nicely with the recently published report from Economist Enterprise, Winning Margins: The Impact of Oral Health on Athlete Performance”. This important piece of work was commissioned by the EFP and supported by Curasept.

That’s not all though. Curasept organised the International Congress of Oral Health (CISO) to celebrate its silver anniversary, hence Andrea’s explanation of Oralmonia.

Educating the public is vital to foster these systemic benefits, according to Andrea Lemma. “Guiding individuals to prioritize oral hygiene is highly effective when illustrating the positive connection between a healthy mouth and vital energy levels. In this collaborative journey of scientific advancement, modern medicine honours historical wisdom, operating under the timeless philosophy articulated by Bernard of Chartres that ‘we are like dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants, enabling contemporary researchers to see further and discover deeper truths’.”

All very poetic, but that helps illustrate how important this is. Education is key and must start at the grassroots level and early on according to Andrea.

“Integrating structural oral-care initiatives into schools, youth sports academies, and family routines establishes life-long beneficial habits.”

He keeps with his sporty theme: “Educating individuals to brush their teeth after consuming acidic or high-sugar sports drinks successfully preserves dental structures. Furthermore, because intense physical exertion naturally alters salivary flow and composition, proactive hydration protocols are vital to maintain the mouth’s natural protective mineral barrier.”

Oralmonia can be achieved!

Importance of nutrition

Nutrition is also important to keep the bidirectional flow between oral and systemic health in good shape. Consuming raw fruit, vegetables, and nuts is great for pain-free chewing, but it also ensures the body is getting lots of vital ingredients, so it seems to be a win-win.

Having nutritious food certainly helps athletes and even ordinary folk who just want to potter around the tennis court. It gets even better though, as Andrea Lemma explains.

“Advanced research indicates that comfortable dental states support precise sensory control pathways, while optimal jaw alignment and stable temporomandibular joints enhance overall posture, physical stability, and dynamic balance.”

The problem with sport is that you often see people imbibing high-energy drinks that, of course, are high in sugar and that attacks tooth enamel which can lead to gum problems. So important does Curasept think dealing with this is, that it has developed a product to treat and even repair enamel.

“By actively rebuilding the mineral structure of teeth, it directly counteracts the erosive wear caused by high-sugar energy drinks, intense exertion, and exercise-induced dry-mouth syndrome.”

Curasept, as many people know, is based in Italy and Leonardo Trombelli, president of the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology (SIdP), has statistical data showing that a quarter of the adult population in that country experiences periodontal symptoms. Even more shocking perhaps is that the same SIdP data shows that a third of Gen Z people have early gingival bleeding. Add into the mix the oral microbiome and you have compelling evidence that the mouth plays a huge role in systemic efficiency and metabolic function.

Healthy ageing

So that’s the young, what about the old? Life expectancy around the world is mostly growing, so Andrea Lemma believes there is an urgent need to research oral health and chronic conditions and the link between them, as he explains.

“The Rector Magnificus of Bocconi University, Professor Francesco Billari, points out that a deeply transforming demographic structure demands that we look beyond historical models to embrace proactive population health management. Highlighting that Italy represents the third oldest country in the world, Professor Billari emphasises that demography is not an unchangeable fate but a rigorous framework for action.”

So, what does that mean in practice? It involves building models that actively help in preventative measures that help healthy ageing. This could be training residential care workers properly or people caring for a loved one at home and managing oral and systemic diseases better as we get older.

Curasept is working hard on this, as is the EFP itself, with current president Mia Rakic at the forefront of highlighting the bidirectional link between oral and systemic health.

Then there is lobbying governments. There is a lot going on in this field too, making public-health manifestos turn into something practical, updating procedures, etc. Andrea Lemma is passionate about how legislation can help.

“On the occasion of the International Congress of Oral Health, the Minister of Health, Professor Orazio Schillaci, explicitly confirmed that oral healthcare must be fully embedded within national strategies for prevention and health promotion. Structural policies successfully guide consumer behaviour toward systemic wellness. Ultimately, achieving full health potential and true oralmonia requires global industrial innovation and regulatory harmonisation. Unifying international standards across medical markets facilitates the democratic, global distribution of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic tools.”

Oralmonia may not be a real word, but it should be! It is more than a concept for Curasept. It is its very DNA!