Nutrition and Oral
Health
Article contributed by:
Parkway Dental Practice
Our diet plays a
significant role in the
development and
maintenance of healthy
teeth and gums, as well
as the likelihood of us
being afflicted by
precancerous/cancerous
lesions. Recent studies
have shown links between
oral health and chronic
ailments such as
diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, premature
birth, endocarditis, and
osteoporosis. Regular
dental examination makes
it possible for your
dentist to check for
oral diseases as well as
precancerous/cancerous
lesions.
It All Starts at the
Beginning
Studies have linked
maternal nutritional
deficiencies during
pregnancy to an
increased incidence of
cleft lips in infants.
Lip and palate
development occurs very
early during pregnancy
(often between the sixth
and ninth weeks of
gestation). The
crowns of the baby teeth
also start to form
during pregnancy.
Teeth are very similar
to bones. It has a
structure that consists
mainly of a lattice of
calcium and phosphate
crystals. Vitamins
A and C have significant
roles in the formation
of the organic
components of the tooth
(e.g. keratin,
collagen), while vitamin
D regulates calcium and
phosphate levels in the
blood. Your doctor
may recommend low dosage
of folic acid, calcium
and vitamin supplements
during pregnancy if he
suspects that you are
not getting enough.
Majority of teeth
development (except for
the wisdom teeth) would
have been completed by
the age of 15. Parents
can help to ensure
healthy teeth
development by adopting
the following
recommendations:
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Breastfeeding during
the first year of
life. |
|
► |
Ensuring optimal
calcium and vitamin
intake by
substituting with
infant formula milk. |
|
► |
Leading by example
in adopting a
healthy balanced
diet and eating
habits once the
child fully
transitions to solid
food, and moderating
the intake of sugary
foods (which
increases the risk
of tooth decay) and
acidic drinks (which
causes erosive
damage to teeth over
time). |
Exposure of teeth to
very low dosages of
fluoride has been shown
to increase the surface
resistance of teeth to
decay. This is due
to the incorporation of
fluoride ions into the
tooth’s crystalline
structure, which makes
it more resistant to
acid attack.
Fluoride can be
delivered by drinking
water and milk, and
using dentifrices, mouth
rinses and tablets.
It is true that
excessive fluoride
intake can lead to
discolouration and
mottling of teeth (fluorosis).
Unintended ingestion of
fluoride containing
toothpaste is often the
main cause of fluorosis.
This can be circumvented
by using a toothpaste
with no or lowered
fluoride levels,
formulated for young
children who tend to
ingest toothpaste due to
the “nice” taste or are
unable to spit well.
Caring for Yourself
In our adult years, the
focus gradually shifts
towards the maintenance
of healthy gums, as our
teeth would have already
completed their
formation. A
recent study conducted
by the Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in the
United States suggests
that one out of every
two American adults aged
30 and above is
afflicted by gum
disease. This is a
cause for concern
because tooth loss has
been shown to reduce the
nutritional intake of
the elderly as they
change their dietary
habits to cope with the
lack of teeth or the use
of dentures.
Chronic alcohol intake
and betel nut chewing
have been linked to the
development of
precancerous and
cancerous lesions of the
mouth, tongue and
throat. The
incidence is amplified
when a person is exposed
to other lifestyle risks
factors such as tobacco
products. Vitamins
A, C and E have been
suggested to reduce the
risk of developing
cancerous lesions
because of their
antioxidant properties.
While one cannot deny
their roles in normal
health, the jury is
still out as to how
effective they are and
what is the optimal
dosage to harness these
protective benefits.
Perhaps a more sensible
approach is to ensure
that our diet consist of
at least two servings of
vegetables and/or fruits
during each meal.
Taking Responsibility
Good oral health is
achievable if we are
willing to take
responsibility for
ourselves with regard to
our diet and personal
hygiene. Most of
us will benefit from the
care of a dentist who is
able to understand our
needs and peculiarities.
This partnership is
essential if we want to
mitigate the “fear
factor” and costs
associated with complex
dental treatments.
Dietary supplements may
be beneficial in
situations where normal
intake is inadequate or
when there is additional
physiological demand
(e.g. pregnancy or
recovery after a health
related incident).
It is recommended that
you seek advice from a
registered healthcare
professional prior to
embarking on any
regimen.
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Article contributed by:
Parkway Dental Practice
Dated: September 2014
|
Parkway
Dental
Practice
is a group
dental
practice
located in
the central
part of
Singapore.
Our
experienced
team of
dentists and
specialists
aim to
provide the
community
with
affordable
multidisciplinary
oral care in
a safe and
comfortable
environment.
Our clinic
is equipped
with the
latest
diagnostic
technology
and
equipment,
enabling us
to practice
at the
forefront of
modern
dentistry. |
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