Nutrition for Oral

Health
Presenter
Created by: Alexia Tomirotti
(ISU Dietetic Intern)

Lesly Juarez via Unsplash

Learning Objectives

2) Identify
how
nutrition
impacts oral
health
1) Describe
steps to 3) Identify
support oral 4) List
how common oral
health diabetes health
impacts oral diseases
health
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Mouth Functions
Breathing Swallowing
Talking Eating
Chewing Drinking
Tasting

Enis Yavuz via Unsplash 3

Common Oral Diseases

CAVITIES PERIODONTAL ORAL CANCER

DISEASE

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Common Oral Diseases - Cavities
Among the world’s most common health problem

More than 1 in 4 adults have untreated cavities (tooth decay)

How do cavities develop?

• Sugar & starches from food & beverages settle on teeth
• Bacteria feeds off sugar on teeth
• Plaque forms on teeth
• Acid in plaque erodes enamel & creates hole

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Common Oral Diseases – Periodontal Disease

Main cause of tooth loss for adults

• Bleeding gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Bad breath
• Pain with chewing

Caused by infections & inflammation of gums surrounding & supporting the teeth

Almost 50% of adults 30 years or older show signs of gum disease

Severe gum disease affects 9% of adults

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Common Oral Diseases – Oral Cancer
1 in 60 men are at risk

1 in 141 women are at risk

Main risk factor: Tobacco & excessive alcohol use

Other risk factors: Poor nutrition, HPV infection, UV light

exposure, and genetic syndromes
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 Video Break!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kXrUXDZKuM
 Oral health is a good
indicator of overall health

Chronic diseases Oral Health

Nutrition Oral Health

By positively supporting
both sides, your overall
health will benefit.
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 Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash
Diabetes & Oral
Health
Colourblind Kevin via Unsplash

Mykenzie Johnson via Unsplash

How Diabetes
Higher risk for oral infections
Impacts Oral
• High blood sugar weakens white blood cells
Health • Oral infections can raise blood sugar
• Uncontrolled blood sugar can increase healing
time

Higher sugar-content in saliva

• High blood sugar can increase sugar
content in saliva
• Increase risk for cavities and gum
disease
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How Diabetes
Impacts Oral Dry mouth
• Symptom of high blood sugar
Health • Side effect of medication
• Saliva helps wash away food and plaque in
oral cavity
• Increased risk for cavities and infection

You are in control of your diabetes and oral

health. Let’s see what steps can be taken with
diabetes management to best support oral health!
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How to Protect Oral Health with Diabetes
Clark Douglas via Unsplash National Cancer Institute via Unsplash

Nappy via Unsplash Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash

Maintain Perform
proper proper oral
Work with nutrition Frequently care
healthcare check blood
provider/team sugar levels

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Quiz time!

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What are 2 risk factors
for gum disease?
A. Braces
B. Diabetes
C. Singing
D.Smoking

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What are signs of poor
oral hygiene?
A. Toothache
B. Receding gums
C. Bad breath
D.Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
E. All of the above

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What are some serious
conditions that can be caused
by oral bacteria and the
inflammation associated with
gum disease?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pregnancy and birth complications
C. Cardiovascular disease
D. Endocarditis
E. All of the above
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 Nutrition & Oral
Health

Colourblind Kevin via Unsplash

Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash

Poor Nutrition
High intake of refined carbohydrates and
sweets can increase the likelihood of
developing cavities. Common foods that
can negatively impact teeth include:
• Candy
• Baked goods
Marc Noorman via Unsplash

• Packaged foods (ex: chips)

• Soft drinks

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 Nutrients for Oral Health

Calcium Vitamin D Fluoridated Antioxidants B Vitamins

Water
Maintenance Helps with Reduce gum Role in red blood
and formation calcium Protects inflammation cell production,
of bone/teeth absorption teeth from & risk of oral cell growth &
tooth decay cancer development
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Nutrition for Oral Health
• Limit intake of refined carbohydrates, added
sugars, and sugar-sweetened beverages
• Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains
• Rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants
• Drink plenty of water

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Dental Care
• Brush teeth
• 2x/day
• Fluoride toothpaste
• 2 minutes
• Clean between teeth
• Daily
• Dental floss,
interdental brushes,
oral irrigators, or
woodsticks

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Dental Care (cont’d)
• Healthy Diet
• Limit intake of sugar
beverages & snacks
• See dentist
• Up to date on appt.
for prevent &
treatment

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Try this out!
• Choose fiber-rich
carbohydrates + protein
for a snack instead of
chips, candy, or soda.
• Try:
• Cottage cheese +
fruit/veggies
• Yogurt + fruit or nuts
• Guacamole snack cup +
whole grain crackers or
veggies

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Thank you!
Name
Email
Website

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES University of

Illinois | U.S. Department of Agriculture | Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and
employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program,
please contact us.. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for
meeting your access needs.
 Sources:
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cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
• American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Risk factors for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/oral-
cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
• American Dental Association. (2022, December). Home oral care: Key points. ADA Science & Research Institute. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-
research-institute/oral-health-topics/home-care
• American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). About diabetes: Diabetes and gum disease. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/oral-gum-disease
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health.html?utm_source=canva&utm_medium=iframely
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and-diabetes

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Sources (cont’d)
• Gondivkar, S. M., Gadbail, A. R., Gondivkar, R. S., Sarode, S. C., Sarode, G. S., Patil, S., & Awan, K. H. (2019). Nutrition and oral health. Disease-a-month : DM, 65(6),
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minerals#:~:text=B-2%3A%20milk%2C%20yogurt%2C%20cheese%2C%20whole%20and%20enriched%20grains,products%2C%20bananas%20B-
7%3A%20Whole%20grains%2C%20eggs%2C%20soybeans%2C%20fish
• Mayo Clinic. (2022, March). Cavities/tooth decay. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
• Mayo Clinic. (2021, October). Healthy lifestyle: Adult health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
• Mayo Clinic. (2023, February). Periodontitis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473
• Najeeb, S., Zafar, M. S., Khurshid, Z., Zohaib, S., & Almas, K. (2016). The role of nutrition in periodontal health: An update. Nutrients, 8(9), 530.
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• Swift, C. (2021). Diabetes, oral health and nutrition – What is the connection? Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/news/perspectives/adces-blog-details/adces-perspectives-on-diabetes-care/2021/05/10/diabetes-oral-health-nutrition-connection

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