On the relationship between proper nutrition and oral health

The connection between maintaining dental hygiene and dental health is clear and understandable. But not so when it comes to the effect of proper nutrition on oral health. Besides the fact that sugar is not healthy for the teeth, the foods we eat and the drinks we drink have a direct effect on the condition of the teeth and gums. And not only for “what” you eat or drink, but also “when” you eat and drink, and this is true for any age.

Perhaps surprising, but problems in the oral cavity can affect the rest of the body. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the health of the mouth, gums and teeth.

the front door

The mouth is the entrance to the digestive system, a long tube of organs from the mouth to the anus, through which the food passes. The mouth is also an entrance to the respiratory tract. Hence the fear that harmful bacteria may reach the internal organs of the body from the oral cavity. Like other areas of the body, many bacteria reside in the oral cavity. These bacteria usually do not harm us, and for the most part, the body’s defenses and good oral care keep the bacteria in balance. But without good oral hygiene, the bacterial culture can lead to infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

In addition, certain drugs, such as antihistamines, pain relievers, antidepressants and more, can damage the production of saliva, which helps prevent bacteria from spreading and causing disease. The saliva washes away the food and maintains the acidity balance in the mouth.

One of the known damages in the oral cavity is caries. It is an infectious disease, in which physical damage is caused to the tooth as a result of bacterial activity. The focus of tooth decay is formed when bacteria in the mouth break down sugars from the foods we eat. As a result of this decomposition process, acids are formed. These acids dissolve the outer enamel layer of the teeth. If not treated in time, the acids will penetrate into the inner layers of the tooth, causing irreversible damage to the tooth.

Another common disease in the oral cavity is gum disease. It is caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaques and tartar deposits on the surfaces of the teeth. Over time, the bacteria and calculus cause absorption of the bone that supports the roots of the teeth – a process that sometimes involves the creation of pockets between the gums and the tooth. The disease does not cause real pain. In its early stages, it manifests itself mainly in the appearance of bleeding from the gums while brushing or eating hard foods, along with swelling and redness in the gums. In more advanced stages, a receding of the gum line towards the roots of the teeth is evident, and in extreme cases, a phenomenon of bad breath may also appear.

The close connection between dietary habits and the state of oral health does not always receive sufficient attention in discussions about a healthy lifestyle. This relationship is bilateral. On the one hand, dietary habits and food composition will directly affect the state of oral health. For example, excessive consumption of sugars and ultra-processed carbohydrates in food and drinks will increase the risk of tooth decay. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, calcium and fluoride, will harm the health of the gums and teeth. In addition, poor nutrition will also weaken the immune system and increase the vulnerability to infections in the oral cavity.

On the other hand, conditions such as gum disease, dry mouth or lack of teeth may limit the ability to consume a variety of foods, and as a result impair the proper absorption of essential nutrients. In such a situation, over time, there is a fear of nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition.

What is and what is not

When we come to refer to nutrition and maintaining oral health, it is useful to examine “what” you eat and drink, “how” and “when”. And we open with what yes:
Foods rich in vitamin C: vegetables and fruits such as peppers in a variety of colors, kiwi, strawberries, citrus fruits. Vitamin C plays a role in healing wounds and supporting the immune system.

Foods rich in calcium: milk and its products, tahini, sardines, nuts, foods fortified with calcium. Calcium is a significant mineral in the composition of the skeleton and teeth.
Vitamin D: helps the absorption of calcium and comes mainly from exposure to the sun, but also from fish and fish oil, dairy products, eggs and nutritional supplements.

Fluoride: Fluoride is a substance found naturally in water. A relationship was found between an optimal concentration of fluoride in the drinking water and a lower rate of tooth decay. The presence of fluoride strengthens the vitreous of the teeth during their formation stages and creates a protective layer on the surface of the tooth exposed to the oral environment, so that the tooth is more resistant to acids. Fluoride contributes to the prevention of caries among all age groups.

In Israel, the concentration of natural fluoride in water varies from place to place. In the south of the country it is higher than in the north. Apart from drinking water, fluoride can also be obtained from toothpastes, mouthwashes and other products intended for use in the oral cavity, such as pills and drops.

What should be downplayed? In foods rich in sugars and carbohydrates, especially those that stick to the teeth such as breakfast cereals, dried fruits and toffee candies. Acidic foods and drinks such as pickled vegetables. Sugary drinks, including sugar-free ones, also damage the health of the teeth. Although diet drinks do contain fewer calories, they are as harmful to the teeth as regular drinks due to their high level of acidity. The acids in these drinks, similar to the acids secreted by bacteria, contribute to the erosion of the enamel.

Timing and frequency: to minimize damage, it is recommended to drink a lot of water with fluoride between meals, and chew sugar-free gums that encourage the secretion of neutral saliva. For these reasons it is also important to transition babies and toddlers from drinking from a bottle with a nipple to drinking from a cup as soon as possible, to prevent falling asleep with a bottle containing a drink other than water and to minimize as much as possible the provision of snacks between meals.