How we eat may be the underlying cause of tooth decay (dental caries). This is because bacteria that lead to tooth decay feed on carbohydrates. By changing dietary habits, patients can stop progression and prevent dental disease formation. For example, eating a nutritious diet and limiting the duration of exposure to sugar and/or acidic foods and beverages may stop dental disease progression and prevent new tooth decay and/or erosive tooth wear. While this concept is well-known, it is important to revisit with patients because how we eat is essential to oral health and dental wellness. Here is a helpful list of protective foods that may improve oral and overall health. (Read the full article here.)
Key vitamins and minerals: A quick reference for dentists |
|||
Vitamin/mineral/nutrient |
Oral problem because of deficiency |
Oral problem because of excess |
Food sources |
Vitamin D |
Incomplete calcification of teeth and alveolar bone, enamel hypoplasia |
Pulp calcification, enamel hypoplasia |
Egg yolks, cheddar cheese, salmon, trout, mushrooms, fortified products (milk, orange juice) |
Vitamin K |
Increased risk of bleeding and candidiasis |
|
Green, leafy vegetables (collard greens, spinach, kale), broccoli, soybeans, pumpkin, pine nuts, blueberries |
Vitamin A |
Taste sensitivity, xerostomia, disturbed enamel, development leading to poor or absent calcification and hypoplasia in mature teeth, increased caries risk |
Impaired cell differentiation and epithelialization resulting in delayed and impaired oral tissues |
Sweet potatoes, spinach, pumpkins, carrots, dairy products, |
B2 Riboflavin |
Angular cheilitis/cheilosis, shiny and red lips, sore tongue that changes color and shape |
|
Yogurt, milk, chicken, beef, mushrooms, cheese, chicken, eggs, quinoa, fortified breakfast cereals |
B3 Niacin |
Angular cheilitis/cheilosis, mucositis, stomatitis, oral pain, swollen tongue, ulcerative gingivitis |
|
Chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, beef, brown and white rice, peanuts, potatoes, fortified breakfast cereals |
Folic acid |
Angular cheilitis/cheilosis, mucositis, stomatitis, sore or burning mouth, inflamed gingiva, glossitis tongue |
|
Spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, white rice, avocados, fortified breakfast cereals |
B12 Cyanocobalamin |
Angular cheilitis/cheilosis, sore or burning mouth, mucositis, stomatitis, hemorrhagic gingiva, halitotsis, glossitis, delayed wound healing, xerostomia |
|
Clams, tuna, salmon, beef, yogurt, milk, cheese, nutritional yeast, fortified breakfast cereals |
Calcium |
Incomplete calcification of teeth, increased risk for caries |
|
Dairy products, tofu, salmon, beans, kale, broccoli, fortified breakfast cereals, orange juice |
Phosphorus |
Incomplete calcification of teeth, increased risk of caries if present during tooth development, increased susceptibility to periodontal disease via effects on alveolar bone |
|
Dairy products, beef, salmon, chicken, lentils, potatoes, rice |
Current (57)
Unfiltered (68)