Specifically Formulated to Support Healthy Gums & Strong Teeth
Vitamins & minerals play an important role in the maintenance of both general health & oral health (health of gums, teeth, mouth & supporting structures such as jaw bone).1-4 Dentaplex has been specifically formulated to contain the important micronutrients that are closely associated with healthy gums and strong teeth.
Why Diet is Vital for Optimal Oral Health
An adequate daily intake of essential nutrients, including certain vitamins & minerals, is vital for:
• maintaining optimal oral health 5
• proper cell growth of the tissues in the mouth (the periodontal tissues) 1
• the synthesis of proteins (including collagen – the primary organic constituent of bone, cartilage, & connective tissue) 1
• maintenance of a strong & efficient immune system. 1
• certain vitamins & minerals act as antioxidants to protect cells from “free radicals,” highly reactive molecules that can disrupt cell activity or cause cell death. 6-8
• Nutritional imbalances can adversely affect the normal development of cells & tissues, & lower host defense mechanisms. 1
• Tissue renewal within the mouth takes place in a relatively short period of time, (3-7 days), compared to other body tissues. 1
• This fast rate of tissue renewal makes the oral cavity one of the most sensitive areas in the body in reflecting reduced nutritional intake.
• Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances may present as clinical symptoms in the mouth ahead of other points in the body. 1& 9
Factors That May Incline a Patient to Nutritional Deficiences
It is now recognized that dietary habits & certain other lifestyle factors may impact the ability of the digestive system to absorb sufficient nutrients from a person’s diet. This may present a health risk. Such factors include:
• poor diet
• smoking
• excessive use of alcohol
• ill health
• strong medications
• stress
• environmental pollution
Indications of Nutritional Deficiency
Patients with pale or bright red coloring or ulceration of the tongue and oral mucosa; swelling, inflammation, or pain of the tongue; impaired taste; excessive or minimal salivation; and angular cheilosis (cracks in the corners of the mouth) may not be receiving adequate levels of nutrients. 2
The Role of Nutritional Deficiency in the Development of Periodontal Disorders
Nutritional imbalances are secondary contributors or modifiers of periodontal disorders. They do not initiate disease, but they can influence the rate of development of disease. 1,10,11,16
Secondary infections like necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis may persist and be more difficult to treat when there is an underlying nutritional deficiency. Altered host response of oral and periodontal tissues to local irritants (plaque, calculus) may also occur in patients suffering from nutritional deficiencies. 3, 14, 15
Key Nutrients Contributing to Oral Health
The major nutrients that contribute to the general conditioning of the periodontal tissues and to the support of overall oral health include:
• vitamin C, 6, 17, 18
• B-complex vitamins, 1
• vitamin A, 1,12
• calcium, 1,12,13
• vitamin D 1
• zinc. 1,12,13
Reasons for Using a Nutritional Supplement
Everyone has heard of how sailors in earlier centuries suffered from scurvy as a result of becoming deficient in Vitamin C, and often experienced tooth loss as a consequence. From this understanding nutritionists and doctors have developed a wider appreciation of the role of nutrition in human health.
A healthy balanced diet should always form the basis of personal healthcare. However for a variety of reasons this may not happen:
• personal dietary choices – including a liking or habit of consuming highly processed foods
• lifestyle restrictions on receiving nutritious balanced diet:
o too busy to prepare balanced meals,
o do not have appropriate facilities,
o live alone and get out of the habit of preparing meals
Additionally there are certain conditions, drug therapies, & lifestyle behaviors, which may increase the need for certain nutrients:
• Alcohol abuse may cause deficiencies in zinc, folic acid, & magnesium. 1,9
• Cigarette smokers have been shown to require as much as 50% more vitamin C than nonsmokers. 17, 19
• Disease states, such as liver and kidney function impairment, may result in zinc deficiency.
• Certain drug therapies such as estrogens in birth control pills or in replacement therapies for menopausal women may cause a lowering of vitamin C blood levels and an increased need for Vitamin B6. 20
• Use of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (eg. Zantac®, Tagamet®, Pepcid®) may increase the daily requirements for folic acid. 20
In all these circumstances nutritional supplements offer an excellent way to boost the intake of key nutrients.
People Who are More Likely to Experience Nutritional Deficiencies
Maintenance and repair of oral tissues requires a constant supply of all nutrients even when physical growth is complete. The need for proteins, vitamins, and minerals, is not necessarily linked to the calorie requirements of an individual. Some groups of individuals are more susceptible to nutritional deficiencies than others. Included in these groups are:
• Elderly people
• Adolescents
• Individuals with chronic illness
• Individuals suffering from chronic stress
• Women of childbearing age
• Individuals on certain weight loss diets
References:
1. Nizel A, Papas AS, Nutrition in Clinical Dentistry, 1997 3rd Edition
2. Nizel A, Nutrition in Preventative Dentistry, Science & Practice, 1981 2nd Edition, 362-416
3. Jakush J, (Ed), Diet & Oral Health, JADA, 109: 1984; 21-32
4. Ringsdorf WM, Cheraskin E, Diet & Sulcus Depth, NY State Dent Journal, January 1964 (30) 3-8
5. Navia JM, A New Perspective For Nutrition: The Health Connection, American Journal Clinical Nutrition 1995 61(suppl) 407-9
6. Winn DM, Diet & Nutrition In The Etiology Of Oral Cancer, American Journal Clinical Nutrition 1995 61(suppl) 437-45
7. Fontana M, Vitamin C: Clinical Implications For Oral Health – A Literature Review, Compendium, July 15 1994 (7) 916-920
8. Garrison R & Somer E, The Nutrition Desk Reference 3rd Edition, 1997, NTC Publishing Group
9. Nizel A, Papas AS, Nutrition in Clinical Dentistry, 3rd Edition. Phila, Pa. W.B. Saunders 1989
10. Shaw JH, The Relation of Nutrition to Periodontal Disease, Journal Dent Research, 41 (1) 264-74, 1962
11. American Dental Association Health Foundation; Foods, Nutrition & Dental Health; Vol. 5, 6th Annual Conference
12. Pollack RL, Kravitz E, Litwack D, Nutrition In Oral Health & Disease; Philidelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1985
13. Bland J, Childhood Nutrition & Oral Diseases, Journal Pedod, Summer; 8 (4):319-36, 1984
14. Diet, Nutrition & Oral Health: A Rational Approach For The Dental Practice. JADA 1984; 109:20-32
15. Rubinoff AB, Latner PA, Pasut LA, Vitamin C & Oral Health. Journal Canadian Dental Association 1989; 55:705-7
16. Leggott, PJ et al; Effects of Ascorbic Acid Depletion & Supplementation on Periodontal Health, Journal Dental Research70: 1531-36, 1991
17. Nishida M, et al: Dietary Vitamin C & The Risk For Periodontal Disease. Journal Periodontology 71 (8):1215-23, 2000
18. Nishida M, et al: Dietary Calcium & The Risk For Periodontal Disease. Journal Periodontology 71 (7):1057-66, 2000
19. Seri M, D/Alessandro A, Seri S. The effect of cigarette smoking on Vitamin C & E levels of gingival crevicular fluid. Boll Sci Ital Biol Sper 1999; 75:21-25
20. US Pharmacopeia. The USP Guide To Vitamins & Minerals, 1st Edition. The US Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc (Publ) Avon Books, 1996
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