Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

and ‘‘burns’’ (glossitis), that changes in taste have
occurred, and that cracks have appeared on the lips
and at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilosis). In
a vitamin C deficiency, petechiae (small, hemorrhag-
ing red spots) may appear in the oral cavity, as well as
on other parts of the body, especially after pressure
has been exerted on the tissue. In addition, the gums
may bleed upon probing with a dental instrument.

In humans, calcium deficiency rarely, if ever,
causes the production of hypoplastic enamel (poorly
mineralized enamel) similar to theosteoporosispro-
duced in bone. Teeth appear to have a biological prior-
ity over bone when calcium is limited in the diet.

Oral health problems associated with nutritional
deficiencies occur not only in populations with a lim-
ited food supply. Individuals whose chewing and swal-
lowing abilities have been compromised by oral
cancer, radiation treatment, or AIDS may also exhibit
signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies.

Overnutrition and Oral Health
The proliferation of foods high in calories,fat,
sugar, and salt, and low in nutritional content—such
as that found in fast-food restaurants and vending
machines—has created a ‘‘toxic’’ food environment
in many industrialized countries, and this has had an
important impact on oral health. Oral bacteria have
the ability to synthesize the acids that dissolve tooth
enamel from many different types of foods, not just
sugar. Frequency of eating is a major factor related to
poor oral health in infants, as well as children and

adults.Baby bottle tooth decay, also callednursing

bottle caries, is a term that refers to the caries formed

when an infant is routinely put to sleep with a bottle.

Breastfeeding cariesis a condition associated with the

constant exposure of an infant’s oral environment to

breast milk, whilepacifier cariesoccurs when a pacifier

is dipped in honey prior to inserting the pacifier into

an infant’s mouth.

Both childhood and adultobesityare on the rise,

and they have reached epidemic proportions in some

countries. Obesity is traditionally associated with

increased rates of non-insulin-dependent diabetes; ele-

vations in blood pressure; and elevated serum glucose,

blood cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fat)—but it

is also associated with decreased oral health status. For

example, the number of servings of fruit juice and soft

drinks ingested each day is correlated not only with

obesity in children, but also with increased caries. The

American Academy of Pediatrics has warned parents

on the overuse of fruit juices inchildren’s diets.

Although diet soft drinks do not contain sugar,

they do contain both carbonic and phosphoric acids

and can directly destroy tooth enamel, particularly

if the teeth are periodically exposed to a diet drink

throughout the day. The direct demineralization of

tooth enamel by regular and diet soft drinks has sim-

ilarities to the demineralization of tooth enamel com-

mon inanorexia nervosa, in which forced regurgitation

of food exposes lingual tooth surfaces (the side of the

tooth facing the tongue) to stomach acids. In the case

of enamel erosion produced by soft drinks and juices,

effects are usually seen on all the tooth surfaces.

Inflamed gum

Firm gums Pocket

Periodontal

ligament

Healthy Gums Gingivitis Periodontitis

Loss of ligament

and bone

Plaque and tartar Infected pocket

Healthy gums support the teeth. When gingivitis goes untreated, the gums become weak and pockets form aroun the teeth.
Plaque and tartar build up in the pockets, the gum recedes, and periodontitis occurs.(Illustration by Argosy, Inc./Thomson Gale.)

Oral health and nutrition