Nourishing Your Smile
How does what I eat affect my
oral health?
You may be able to prevent two of
the most common diseases of
modern civilization, tooth decay
(caries) and periodontal disease,
simply by improving your diet.
Decay results when the hard
tissues are destroyed by acid
products from oral bacteria.
Certain foods and food
combinations are linked to higher
levels of cavity causing bacteria.
Although poor nutrition does not
directly cause periodontal disease,
many researchers believe that the
disease progresses faster and is
more severe in patients whose diet
does not supply the necessary
nutrients. Periodontal disease
affects the supporting tissues of the
teeth and is the leading cause of
tooth loss in adults.
Poor nutrition affects the
entire immune system, thereby
increasing susceptibility to many
disorders. People with lowered
immune systems have been shown
to be at higher risk for periodontal
disease. Additionally, today's
research shows a link between oral
health and systemic conditions,
such as diabetes and cardiovascular
disease. So eating a variety of
foods as part of a well-balanced
diet may not only improve your
dental health, but increasing fiber
and vitamin intake may reduce the
risk of other diseases.
How can I plan my meals and
snacks to promote better oral
health?
Eat a well-balanced diet
characterized by moderation and
variety. Develop eating habits that
follow the recommendations from
reputable health organizations such
as The American Dietetic
Association and The National
Institutes of Health. Choose foods
from the four basic food groups:
fruits and vegetables, breads and
cereals, milk and dairy products,
meat, chicken, fish or beans. Avoid
fad diets that limit or eliminate
entire food groups which usually
result in vitamin or mineral
deficiencies.
Always keep your mouth
moist by drinking lots of water.
Saliva protects both hard and soft
oral tissues. If you have a dry
mouth, supplement your diet with
sugarless candy or gum to
stimulate saliva.
Foods that cling to your teeth
promote tooth decay. So when you
snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky
foods, such as cakes, candy and
dried fruits. Instead, choose
dentally healthy foods such as nuts,
raw vegetables, plain yogurt,
cheese and sugarless gum or candy.
When you eat fermentable
carbohydrates, such as crackers,
cookies and chips, eat them as part
of your meal, instead of by them
selves. Combinations of foods
neutralize acids in the mouth and
inhibit tooth decay. For example,
enjoy cheese with your crackers.
Your snack will be just as satisfying
and better for your dental health.
One caution: malnutrition
(bad nutrition) can result from too
much nourishment as easily as too
little. Each time you eat, you create
an environment for oral bacteria to
develop. Additionally, studies are
showing that dental disease is just
as related to overeating as heart
disease, obesity, diabetes and
hypertension. So making a habit of
eating too much of just about
anything, too frequently, should be
avoided.
When should I consult my
dentist or dietitian about my
nutritional status?
Always ask
your dentist if you're not sure
how your nutrition (diet) may
affect your oral health.
Conditions such as tooth loss,
pain, or joint dysfunction can
impair
chewing and are often found in
elderly people, those on restrictive
diets and those who are undergoing
medical treatment. People experi-
encing these problems may be too
isolated or weakened to eat
nutritionally balanced meals at a
time when it is particularly critical.
Talk to your dental health profes-
sional about what you can do for
yourself or someone you know in
these circumstances.
Sources: "Diet and Dental Health," by
Connie Mobley, PhD, RD, and Michael W
Dodds, DDS, PhD, Topics in Nutrition,
7999; Warren B. Karp, PhD, DMD,
"Nutritional Update for the Dental Health
Professional," CDA journal, 7999; "Modern
Nutrition in Health and Disease," ninth
edition; Williams and Wilkins 7999; The
California Dental Association.
This information was compiled for General Dentistry. Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by
belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry. As one of the 35,000 general dentists in the United Sates and Canada who are member of the Academy, your dentists
participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient
treatment. Visit the AGD’s website at www.agd.org. You have permission to photocopy this page and distribute it to your patients.
