American Health & Fitness Nutrition

How the right pills can improve your oral health.

Last issue, we reported that maintaining a proper diet is crucial for the prevention of oral diseases. However, never underestimate the power of vitamins and supplements.

In 1987, the USDA Food Consumption Survey reported that out of 21,000 people surveyed, not one consumed 100 percent of the RDA (recommended daily/dietary allowance) for ten key nutrients.

These ten key nutrients included: vitamins B6, B12, A, C, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, iron and protein. And while many tests have been conducted within the last decade, the results remain unchanged – most people are blissfully unaware of the importance that vitamins play in a healthful lifestyle. According to a recent article written in the New York City Times, only one in ten people (of the 12,000 people surveyed in ten states), have adequate diets.

The US Public Health Service also found that 50 percent of the population were below the US RDA levels for one or more vitamin or mineral. And according to the American Dietetics Association, only 20 to 30 percent of adults are consuming the recommended daily five or more servings of fruits and vegetables.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals play a major part in helping the body combat bleeding and swollen gums, loosening of teeth, tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). Specifically, vitamins and minerals help form antibodies to fight bacteria and infection, boost the immune system, destroy foreign substances and eradicate toxins. Both vitamins and minerals share a symbiotic relationship.

Vitamins cannot be used or absorbed without the presence of minerals. And minerals cannot be made by our bodies; we must ingest them through foods and supplements. Since most people tend to see their dentist more routinely than their physician, their dentist can become their primary nutritional educator.

One of the most common signs of vitamin deficiencies are oral lesions – changes in the texture of the gums and lips and burning sensations of the tongue. Some of the oral manifestations of deficiency and metabolic disorders readily identified by dentists are: osteoporosis, diabetes, anemia, anorexia and bulimia.

Aside from the ability to recognize oral pathology, dentists can aid in preventing defects caused by a lack of nutrients. For example, a recent study concluded that folic acid plays a vital role in the prevention of birth defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate during pregnancy.

Women who may need more folic acid include frequent dieters, drug or alcohol users, smokers, women on the pill and women who consistently do not eat well-balanced meals.

All experts agree, vitamins and minerals are necessary constituents for maintaining your body’s health. In addition to regular brushing, flossing and routine dental check-ups, nutritional supplements can help to keep your mouth strong and healthy.

And in recognition of the importance vitamins and minerals play, specially formulated supplements such as Dentaplex are now available to help you attain optimum oral health.

How does nutrition affect your smile?

It is very important to not only create the perfect smile, but also to make certain that the perfect smile is built upon a strong, and healthy foundation. The key to achieving this healthy smile is maintaining proper oral hygiene with regular dental check-ups, and taking nutritional supplements which are specifically geared towards optimum oral health. With all the advances in dental office care and home care, 90 percent of the population is still developing periodontal disease. Nutrient deficiency can become a major contributing factor in periodontal disease by inhibiting the mouth’s ability to resist infection, and by eventually contributing to tooth loss. In other words–your diet does affect your dental health. The future of dentistry lies in the prevention of disease through the consumption of a well-balanced diet and the necessary nutritional supplements. Remember…disease will occur less frequently in a well-nourished body.

The Dental Importance of Diet and Nutrition

As we get ready for the new year many of us take advantage of the new start to join a gym or vow to live a healthier lifestyle. Those benefits improve how we feel, how we function, and even cross over to your dental health too!

What is the importance of Diet and Nutrition in Dentistry?

Any dental restoration will invariably have a better long term prognosis when built on a strong and healthy foundation. From a functional standpoint, inadequate nutrition will make the body (including teeth and gums) more susceptible to gum disease, resulting in increased tooth mobility, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss. From a cosmetic standpoint, it is essential that restorations such as porcelain veneers and crown and bridgework be performed in a healthy mouth (free of gum disease) as red and inflamed gums can distract from the overall appearance.

A mouth that is kept healthy will invariably lend itself to beauty.