Nutrition and teeth go hand in hand. We often hear about the foods to avoid for healthy teeth: sugary and sticky foods. Avoiding these foods, and practicing oral hygiene help teeth stay functional and pain-free. It is also important to keep in mind that healthy teeth are necessary for proper nutrition. Many of the nutrient rich foods require healthy, strong teeth to eat. For people with chronic diseases that have oral effects, it is important to pay attention to oral hygiene, including visiting dental professionals. FIGHT Family Dentistry offers many dental care services (http://bit.ly/35CfBeT), particularly for people with anxiety around dental visits and those who do not have regular dental appointments.
For Dos and Don’ts of oral care, you can visit our blog for the complete infographic at http://bit.ly/2uw1A5D.
For more nutrition info, join us on January 24 for a webinar all about nutrition!
This infographic is from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Visit eatright.org for more information on healthful eating or to find a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Infographic titled Nutrition and Oral Health: the Root of It All
Registered dieticians at the Academy of Nutrition and Dieticians recognize a link between mouth health and nutrition. Oral infectious diseases, as well as acute, chronic and terminal illnesses with oral symptoms can impact not only our ability to consume food properly, but also our health and nutrition status.
For many, an annual dental exam is a luxury. The top 10 stated with the highest percentage of dental visits: Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Hawai’i, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. 72% on average have health insurance. Bottom 10 states with the lowest % of dental visits: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky. 56% on average have health insurance.
New section titled Oral Health Issues in Older Adults (65+ years)
1 in 3 have untreated dental issues
40% have periodontal (gum) disease.
2 times more likely to be toothless if living in poverty.
25% have no natural teeth and instead use dentures or implants.
New section titled Oral Health Issues in children (2-4 years)
Tooth decay has increased, with significantly more reported among non-hispanic black and Mexican American children. 18 % in 1988-1994 and 24% in 1995-2004.
New section
The Don’ts:
- Don’t regularly sip on sugar-sweetened or carbonated drinks.
- don’t overly consume sticky foods or slow-dissolving candies.
- Don’t frequently eat desserts or other sugary foods.
The Do’s:
- Do maintain a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy products and whole grains that provide essential nutrients.
- Do practice good oral hygiene (i.e. brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day; drinking fluoridated water; and seeking regular oral health care).
Oral health care and nutrition is about education, but the collaboration between patients, dentists and registered dietitians can prevent and alleviate a lot of common dental problems- and offer better health to boot!