Dental Health and NutritionBy Chelsey Newton

Learning Objectives◦ Properly identify the major problems

associated with our teeth

◦ Describe some of the diseases that affect our dental health as a result of our diet

◦ Identify what foods to encourage for good dental health and some foods to avoid that may cause harm to our teeth

Tooth GrowthAre 4 main stages to tooth

development1. Basic structure of teeth form2. Hard tissue forms3. Tooth eruption4. Loss of “baby” teeth

Regan, Katie (2010).

Baby Teeth vs. Permanent Teeth

20 baby teeth32 permanent teeth

Regan, Katie (2010).

Anatomy of a toothAre 4 main parts to a tooth

1. Enamel2. Dentin3. Pulp4. Root

Regan, Katie (2010).

Nutrition Needs for Tooth Development

◦Calcium◦Phosphorus◦Vitamin D◦Vitamin C

Regan, Katie (2010).

Dental Diseases Affecting Quality of LifeImpacts our self esteemImpacts our eating ability and

nutrient intakeHinders our overall health

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Enamel HypoplasiaDefect in enamel formationCaused by deficiency in:

◦Vitamin D◦Vitamin A◦Protein energy malnutrition (PEM)

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Salivary Gland AtrophyInability of the mouth to fight off

infectionsCaused by inadequate Vitamin A

and PEM

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Periodontal DiseaseChronic DiseaseInflammation of the gums and

bone around the teethCaused by Vitamin C deficiency

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Fluorosis Disturbance of enamel

development on our teeth as they are growing in

Due to excess intakes of fluorideCauses brown spotting on the

teeth

Palmer, C. A., & Gilbert, J. A. (2012)

Oral InfectionsMain cause: malnutritionMalnutrition impairs the defenses in

our mouth against invading pathogensThis allows bacteria to more easily

bind to mucosal cells and cause infection

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Oral Infections: ANGAcute necrotizing gingivitis

◦Most common oral infectionIf left untreated, will lead to

Noma◦ Noma is an orofacial gangrene

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Dental CariesAn infectious diseaseMetabolism of dietary sugars in

dental plaque which cause demineralization of enamel & dentine

Lingström, P., & Moynihan, P. (2003).

Dental Caries Cont.Dietary causes: sugar in our diet!Frequency AND amount of sugar

both have negative effects on our teeth

Lingström, P., & Moynihan, P. (2003).

Measure of Dental CariesExtent of dental decay is

measured by dmft/DMFT (primary detention/permanent detention)

Used worldwide for indication of dental decay in populations

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004).

dmft/DMFT for dental caries

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004).

Ways to Reduce Sugar IntakeAvoid sipping on sugary drinks all

day◦Therefore not exposing our teeth to

a constant intake of sugarCut down on sweetsBrush our teeth before bed and

after meals

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004).

Tricks to reducing dental caries

Drinking Milk!◦ Contains calcium, phosphorus, casein

Eat hard cheese after consuming sugary food/beverage

Eat high fiber foods, drinking black tea

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004).

Fruit Linked to Dental Caries?!

Research has found fruit consumed in high amounts has an impact on prevalence of dental caries◦BUT have to consume an excessive

amount!

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004).

Consume sugar and not get dental caries?Alternative Sweetners!Aesulfame KSucralosePolyols- Sugar AlcoholStevia

Hendriksen, M., Tijhuis, M., Fransen, H., Verhagen, H., & Hoekstra, J. (2011).

Dental Erosion Progressive condition Causes permanent loss of dental hard tissue Are intrinsic and extrinsic factors

◦ IF= vomiting, regurgitation, low salivary rate◦ EF= result of our diet

It reduces the size of our teeth and restorative treatment is expensive

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Extrinsic factors leading to dental erosionDiets containing citric acid, phosphoric acid,

ascorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and carbonic acids

In food and drink with a pH below 5.5◦ This is because our enamel pH is about 5.5

Moynihan, P., & Poul, E. P. (2004)

Common dietary causes of dental erosion

Diet Medications

Acid carbonated beverages

Iron tonics

Citrus fruit juices Vitamin C tablets

Other acid fruit juices Aspirin

Acidic sports drinks

Wines

Cider

Acidic herbal teas

Citrus fruits

Other acidic fruits and berries

Vinegar conserves

Acid flavored candies

TABLE II. COMMON DIETARY CAUSES OF DENTAL EROSIONTable options

Nunn, J. (2001).

How to reduce dental erosion prevalence?Soft drink companies are

recognizing the large affect their products have on dental erosion◦Reducing the acid content◦Raising the pH of drinks◦Inclusion of protective factors

Nunn, J. (2001).

FluorideNatural element99% of fluoride is in our bones &

teethImportant role in bone health and

mineralizationUsed to increase tooth

mineralization and reduce enamel loss

Palmer, C. A., & Gilbert, J. A. (2012).

Forms of Fluoride Found in many forms including:

◦ Water sources◦ Food◦ Gels◦ Foams◦ Oral rinses◦ Fluoridated dentrifices

Palmer, C. A., & Gilbert, J. A. (2012).

DRI for Fluoride

Palmer, C. A., & Gilbert, J. A. (2012).

Downside to Fluoride…Amount of fluoride in water is directly

controlled by public referendaAre usually candidates that run with

campaign that water shouldn’t be fluoridated◦ Give false information that fluoridated

water causes cancer or even AIDS

Palmer, C. A., & Gilbert, J. A. (2012).

Tooth loss & Dentures: Effects on impairing nutrition?Adults able to retain teeth longer however

majority of older adults have impaired dental function

Dentures= a whole new set of teeth?Foods avoided by denture wearers

◦ Fruit, vegetables, beta-carotene containing foods

Moynihan, P., & Bradbury, J. (2001).

Tricks to increase nutrient intake for Denture wearers and tooth loss

Steam vegetablesMake fruit smoothies!Drink protein supplement shakes

◦Boost◦Ensure

Moynihan, P., & Bradbury, J. (2001).

Cost of Dental Diseases

Moynihan, P., & Bradbury, J. (2001).

Our role as Dietitians Advocate for ways to achieve

proper oral health and nutritionForm partnerships with dental

professionalsSpread importance of fluoride in

water

Moynihan, P., & Bradbury, J. (2001).

ConclusionSee learning objectives to ensure

a complete understanding of them

Able to be better informed on recognizing our role as dietetic students in regards to oral nutrition

Questions??