The cells in the mouth need a constant supply of nutrients to stay healthy and fulfill their function, hence nutrition plays an essential role in oral health. essential role in oral health.. A balanced diet directly influences the composition of the oral microbiota which, together with good oral hygiene, promotes oral and general health at all stages of life.

Nutrition is key to oral health

Oral tissues need a constant supply of nutrients to function as they should, which only a balanced diet can provide. balanced diet for example, proteins help to repair the tissues. If the diet is deficient, either by lack of nutrients or by consuming unhealthy foods, complications such as weakened tooth enamel, inflammation and periodontal disease can occur.

In addition, the mouth is the first first step in the digestive process. Thanks to the teeth, the gums that support them and saliva, it is possible to chew properly, especially fruits, vegetables and meats. This first step through the mouth makes digestion and absorption of nutrients by the digestive system easier. Without good nutrition, the teeth are affected, even lost, and this affects at the same time the absorption of nutrients. This leads to a vicious circle that worsens both the general and oral health of the patient.

With aging, tooth tooth loss due to caries or periodontal disease is more common, as well as the appearance of xerostomia or tooth sensitivity due to exposed necks. Often, this and the use of inadequate prostheses, leads to resort to softer diets that sometimes do not adequately cover nutritional needs. There is also a tendency to lose the sense of taste and reduced appetite, which increases the risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia. All these factors that naturally accompany aging add extra complexity to oral health care, making nutrition even more important at this stage of life.

Oral microbiota and its relationship with nutrition

The mouth harbors thousands of bacteria, some beneficial and some pathogenic. Their balance depends to a large extent on an adequate diet and constant oral hygiene. A diet based on simple sugars and processed products favors the growth of pathogenic bacteria responsible for caries, halitosis and periodontal diseases. balanced diet with vegetables, fruits and fiber favors the development of a healthy oral microbiota that protects against infections and maintains a stable oral pH.

Every time food or drink is ingested, the pH of the mouth temporarily changes. Depending on the type of food, it can create a more acidic environment (sugars and processed foods) that facilitates demineralization of the enamel, which increases the risk of dental erosion, even with good oral hygiene.

Similarly, an unbalanced unbalanced oral microbiota and chronic inflammation in the gums have been linked to problems that impact the whole body, such as malnutrition itself, chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis) and even cognitive impairment.

How malnutrition affects oral health

Malnutrition can manifest itself in different ways:

• Primary malnutritionoccurs when a person does not consume enough food.
• Secondary malnutritionoccurs when the body is unable to absorb nutrients properly due to digestive or metabolic disorders.
• Malnutrition by excesswould be the excessive consumption of calories through food that is not very nutritious.

All of these types of malnutrition can lead to the following to oral disordersThe most common of these are dental caries, caused by demineralization of the teeth due to acids generated by bacteria that ferment sugars in the diet. This risk increases with frequent consumption of sugars between meals, sticky or low-fat foods that reduce saliva production.

In turn, deficiencies of vitamin C, calcium or iron are associated with gum disease, while low levels of vitamin B12, folic acid and zinc are associated with gum disease. low levels of vitamin B12, folic acid and zinc are associated are associated with the development of canker sores or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

Nutritional and hygiene recommendations for oral health care

Taking care of oral health goes beyond constant oral hygiene, it requires proper nutrition and professional care. 

Adequate nutrition

It is advisable to avoid the consumption of free sugars, limit the frequency of meals and keep hydrated to prevent dry mouth. The diet should include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins D and C, such as dairy products, green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. dairy products, green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits, as well as crunchy and crunchy foods.as well as crunchy, fiber-rich foods. These help stimulate saliva production, mechanically clean the tooth surface and improve the health of the stomatognathic system.

2. Professional Attention

Visiting the dentist regularly helps to detect complications in time and to treat them in a personalized way, either with professional cleanings, specific treatments or reinforcing certain oral hygiene habits. In addition, a multidisciplinary multidisciplinary approach involving nutritionists and other health professionals, it is possible to identify nutritional risks, adapt the diet to the patient's conditions and design dietary guidelines adapted to each stage of growth, both for young children and the elderly.