
A former Navy combat diver and sniper explains why good oral health is essential for survival when facing extreme conditions.
Janne Lehtonen, known from Finnish Special Forces and the Amazing Race reality TV series, has operational experience in NATO missions in Somalia and Afghanistan. He emphasises that oral healths is crucial for maintaining peak physical and cognitive performance under extreme conditions.
Scientific evidence supports this view: poor oral health is associated with systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. For special operations forces subjected to intense physical and mental stress, maintaining optimal oral health is not optional – it is essential for survival, says Janne.
‘Even a minor oral health issue can escalate into a life-threatening situation during high-risk operations,’ he said.
‘I’ve seen soldiers endure debilitating toothaches or gum infections in the field. There’s no opportunity for dental care mid-mission, and the pain severely impacts focus and performance.
‘When you’re deep in enemy territory on a multi-week assignment, the last thing you want is for your body to fail you – including your teeth and gums.’
Janne served 13 years as a combat diver in the Finnish Navy where he trained in underwater navigation, survival skills and tactical operations.


Tactical operations
Dr Tommi Pätilä, a Finnish heart and organ transplant surgeon, added that infections can cause complications that could ‘even become life threatening’.
‘Good oral health supports recovery, reduces infection risk and enhances overall performance,’ he said.
‘Oral infections can spread and trigger systemic inflammation, compromising physical capability and even becoming life-threatening.’
In the Finnish Defence Forces, divers undergo annual dental exams and preventive treatments. Changes in underwater pressure can cause dental pain, fractures and even mission-critical failures. These can also exacerbate issues like caries, periodontal disease and compromised restorations.
‘A cavity or air trapped beneath a filling can expand under pressure, causing fractures or intense pain mid-dive,’ Lehtonen added. ‘I’ve seen divers incapacitated by sudden toothaches triggered by pressure shifts.’
Antibacterial light-activated therapy
Dental nurses and hygienists play a vital role in ensuring divers are prepared and protected. Through preventive care, education and early intervention, we can help make diving a safer, more comfortable experience for all.
Antibacterial treatments – such as the Lumoral method – offer a fresh solution. Lehtonen, who has used the device, said: ‘Despite brushing regularly, my gums continued to bleed. After just one month of using the device once a week, the bleeding stopped.’
Lumoral employs an effective antibacterial method developed by Finnish researchers to eliminate disease-causing bacteria from dental plaque. This light-activated antibacterial treatment selectively targets harmful plaque bacteria and reduces inflammation.
Developed by a team of Finnish scientists, it is officially recommended by the Finnish Dental Hygienist Association.
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