Dental Health and Nutrition

In this section we will explore the ways in which nutrition and dental health and are intertwined.

Why do we eat? To stay alive, or for pleasure? You know, the old eat to live or live to eat dilemma. Either way, your dental health plays a crucial role. How can you expect to have good nutrition if you can't eat properly? Also, if you have poor nutrition, your gums and teeth will suffer.

What exactly is good nutrition?

It is giving our bodies exactly what they need to do their jobs. Providing the right balance of carbohydrates, protiens and fats, so that we can carry out the necessary chemical reactions to sustain us and protect us against injuries and disease. It also means not giving our bodies useless subtances that they cannot process and use, or excess nutrients that are just wasted, or stored as unnecessary fat.

What is good dental health?

• Having a full set of teeth
• No active decay
• Gums in the proper position on the teeth
• No inflammation in the gums
• Salivary glands that produce the right amount and type of saliva
• No old or failing dental restorations
• The ability to chew in a non-destructive way through proper bite alignment

Here are some good nutrients that are directly tied to dental health:

Carbohydrates-provide most of the energy to our cells. The wrong kinds can cause an increase in tooth decay.

Protein-used for building tissues and in creating enzymes, blood proteins and antibodies

Fat-source of energy for the body, stuctural component of cell membranes, insulation for organs, dietary source of fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)

Vitamin A-helps in the formation of strong bones and teeth in children and is essential for growth. It helps build our cells, protect against infection and promote healthy skin.

Vitamin B group-play important roles in helping the enzymes which aid digestion, also play a part in the function of the nervous system, heart, production of hormones and muscle function, helps keep skin healthy, aid in the manufacture of blood cells and antibodies. Deficiencies can lead to inflammation of the mouth and tongue, lesions in the mouth and on the lips.

Vitamin C-aids in building connective tissue and in the immune system's fight against oral bacteria. It is important in the growth and function of healthy tissues including bones, gums, teeth.

Vitamin D-helps the body absorb calcium which is used in teeth while they are being formed, and helps regulate phosphate and calcium balance in the body

Vitamin E-essential for our cells, also helps to protect from damage by pollutants and is thought to slow the aging of cells.

Vitamin K-important for the body's blood clotting system, bleeding gums are one symptom of vitamin K deficiency

Calcium-used in the formation of teeth and bones and in many chemical reactions in the body

Phosphates-used in combination with calcium to help form bones and teeth. Also used in ATP which provides energy in our cells

Other minerals-including potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper must be present in the diet to maintain health

Does it seem like the nutrients required to keep the mouth healthy are the same as for the rest of the body? Of course they are, because the mouth is part of the body and what goes in it affects the rest of the body. In addition special attention must be paid to the environment of the mouth, so the teeth and gums remain in good condition in order to be able to begin the process of digestion. If you can't eat properly, the whole system becomes unbalanced.

Maintain a healthy diet to promote gum, bone and tooth health. Minimize the following in your diet and brush after consuming:

highly acidic foods and beverages (citrus, soft drinks)

Sugary foods, beverages (Cake, cookies, ice cream, soft drinks, candy)

Sticky foods (raisins, caramel, hard candies)

Even foods that don't seem sweet, like bread or pretzels are broken down into sugars in the mouth. It is best to remove all traces of any food after eating, so you are not feeding the plaque causing bacteria.

Fibrous vegetables help scrape some of the plaque away, but not as a substitute for brushing and flossing.

Monitor everything you put in your mouth. Ask "Is this helping, or hurting my body" Try to minimize those things that hurt your body and increase the products with high nutritional value.

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