Nutrition Flipchart

NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING Dietary Effects on Oral Health Status By: Anna Eirinberg

Caries Process ◦ The caries process describes how a cavity is formed ◦ You need three main things to initiate the decay process ◦ A susceptible tooth ◦ Fermentable carbohydrate ◦ Bacteria from plaque ◦ When carbs reacts with the bacteria in your mouth, acid is produced

◦ The acidic condition of the mouth promotes the formation of a cavity ◦ If the pH level in your mouth drops below 5.5, the acids begin to break down tooth enamel, and the likelihood of decay increases ◦ Foods high in sugar, crunchy foods, and sticky foods largely contribute to the caries process

Caries Process

1.

2.

3.

1. Bacteria from plaque

2. Fermentable carbohydrate 3. Susceptible tooth

Cariogenic vs Non-cariogenic

Xylitol

◦ Cariogenic foods promote the formation of cavities ◦ Fermentable carbohydrates, such as sugar and soda, are considered to be cariogenic foods because they contribute to the acidic environment of the mouth ◦ Specifically, they cause the pH level to drop below 5.5

◦ Non-cariogenic foods are foods that do not promote cavities ◦ A primary example of a non-cariogenic food is Xylitol in sugarless chewing gum

◦ However, it is important to note that many other factors influence the cariogenicity of foods, such as consistency of food, meal frequency, and sequence of eating

Cariogenic vs Non-cariogenic Foods Cariogenic – Causes cavities

Non-cariogenic – Does not cause cavities

◦ Candy

◦ Water

◦ Dried fruits

◦ Cheese

◦ Fruit snacks

◦ Gum with xylitol

◦ Soda

◦ Eggs

◦ Bread

◦ Meat

◦ Chips

◦ Processed foods

Simple Carbohydrates ◦ Simple carbohydrates are foods high in calories, but low in nutritional value ◦ They are often referred to as “empty carbs” ◦ Simple carbs contribute to caries because they will react with the bacteria in the mouth to produce an acidic environment ◦ Simple carbs initiate the decay process

◦ Examples of simple carbohydrates: ◦ Table sugar ◦ Milk ◦ Cheese

◦ Honey ◦ Soda ◦ Candy ◦ White rice

Table Sugar

Complex Carbohydrates ◦ Complex carbohydrates are the most nutrient dense carbohydrate ◦ They provide the body with nutrients that keep the body healthy ◦ vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water

◦ As with simple carbohydrates, complex carbs initiate the caries process too

◦ Examples of complex carbohydrates: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Corn Beans Oatmeal Brown rice Peas Lentils Potatoes Fruits

Influence of Vitamins and Minerals on Oral Health Vitamin/Mineral

Nutritional Deficiency

Oral Concerns

Calcium – Important for building strong teeth and bones

Rickets, osteomalacia (soft bones), osteoporosis (loss of bone structure)

Susceptible to decay, tooth loss at a young age, incomplete formation of teeth

Phosphorus – Used in energy metabolism and 85% is found in teeth/bones

Rare

Refer to oral concerns for Calcium

Magnesium - Plays a vital role in the strength and formation of teeth/bones

Muscle twitches, hallucinations, muscle cramps, irregular heart beat

Fragile alveolar bone, weak enamel

Iron – Forms hemoglobin, removes fat from the blood, rid liver of drugs, produces antibodies

Anemia, shortness of breath, brittle bones, pica

Oral lesions, burning tongue, red/sore tongue, angular cheilitis

Chloride – Activates salivary amylase, maintains electrolyte balance

Rare – muscle cramps

May be hard for saliva to initiate digestion of proteins

Sodium – present in saliva, aids in muscle contraction

Rare – nausea, weakness

Dry mouth, inability to recognize salt in foods

Dietary Sources of Vitamins/Minerals ◦ Calcium – milk, oatmeal ◦ Phosphorus – fish, chicken, almonds ◦ Magnesium – bananas, whole grains, almonds ◦ Iron – egg yolk, potatoes with the skin ◦ Chloride – soy sauce, table salt ◦ Sodium – processed foods, table salt, eggs, beets, spinach ◦ It is important to realize that although vitamins and minerals are important for our overall health and oral health, the sources from which them come from are often cariogenic!

Fluoride and Oral Health ◦ Fluoride has an enormous impact on the health of the oral cavity ◦ Plays a vital role in the health of our teeth ◦ Makes the enamel of our teeth strong ◦ It reduces risk for cavities ◦ Although fluoride is needed to sustain oral health, it is not necessary for maintaining systemic health ◦ Too much fluoride can actually damage the teeth ◦ Dental fluorosis

Sources of Fluoride ◦ There are many ways to incorporate fluoride into your diet! ◦ The most common ways we intake fluoride is by brushing with toothpaste, rinsing with fluoride rinses, and getting fluoride treatments in the dental office ◦ This is known as topical fluoride

◦ We also get fluoride from drinking tap water and taking supplements ◦ Don’t necessarily have to use dental products to attain fluoride ◦ This is known as systemic fluoride

Dietary choices, along with proper oral hygiene, strongly influence the health of our teeth.

If we take care of our bodies, we can simultaneously take care of our teeth!

References ◦ Almeida, A., Emmerling, H., McGreanor, L. (2010). What’s eating your enamel? RDH Magazine, 30(9) 73-77. ◦ Mellberg, J. R., & Ripa, L. W. (1983). Fluoride in preventive dentistry: theory and clinical applications. Quintessence Pub Co.

◦ Patti, H. (2018). Dental nutrition [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA. ◦ Patti, H. (2018). Lipid nutrition [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA. ◦ Patti, H. (2018). Protein nutrition [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA. ◦ Patti, H. (2018). Vitamins-water soluble [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA. ◦ Patti, H. (2018). Vitamins-fat soluble [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA. ◦ Patti, H. (2018). Minerals and fluoride [PowerPoint presentation]. Cedar Rapids, IA.