Nutrition

Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

· Vitamin E (tocopherol) is fat soluble and similarly protects lipids.

Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

· Selenium: It is best to get selenium through foods, as large doses of the supplement form can be toxic.

Good food sources include fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken and garlic. Vegetables can also be a good source if grown in selenium-rich soils.

Several food additives (including ascorbic acid and tocopherol-derived compounds) are used as antioxidants to help guard against deterioration of food. (see: preservative)"

Wikipedia: Antioxidant

Melatonin

· The Brain: Melatonin: Effects: Antioxidant Effects

Bilirubin

· Research Topics: Bilirubin

· Other Suggestions: Vitamins and Minerals

Artificial Sweeteners

‘Normal’ Use

“Kava says that since artificial sweeteners are so much sweeter than sugar, a very small amount is needed to achieve the same sweetness one gets from sugar [e.g. Splenda is 600 times sweeter than sugar]. ‘If used normally, the amounts you take in are so minuscule as to be of no concern at all.’”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe? (Page 3)

Interactions

“Also important to note: Experts say we have almost no data on the way in which artificial sweeteners interact with each other -- particularly at high amounts. And that, says Restuccia may come back to haunt us even more.

‘As more and more products are being made with artificial sweeteners, there is more likelihood that we will not only be consuming more of them but also mixing different ones, sometimes in a single meal -- and we really have no idea what that means health wise, in the short or the long run,’ says Restuccia.”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe? (Page 2)

Weight Loss

“Most people use sugar substitutes to avoid the calories in sugar, but we have no scientific evidence showing that anyone has lost weight as a result of using sucralose or any other sugar substitute. In fact, our national epidemic of obesity has continued unabated despite the introduction of an enormous number of beverages and foods sweetened with sugar substitutes over the past few decades.”

DrWeil.com: A Safer Sweetener?

“If you are considering using a sugar substitute to sweeten your tea or coffee, you should be aware of how few calories you’re actually eliminating from your diet. A teaspoon of sugar contains only 15 calories, hardly enough to make a significant contribution to anyone’s weight problem when used in tea or coffee. If you’ve been getting along without sugar substitutes, I see no reason why you should reverse your course.”

DrWeil.com: A Safer Sweetener?

Types

Aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal)

· Other Suggestions: Dehydration: Things to Consider: Aspartame

Sucralose (Splenda)

“’Splenda is not sugar -- and to piggyback it on to the reputation of the centuries' old profile of sugar is more than misleading, it could come back to haunt us, perhaps sooner than we think,’ says Restuccia, a nutritionist at the Center for Obesity Surgery at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe?

“Indeed, while there are currently only a handful of studies that question Splenda's safety and more than 100 which attest to its safe use, Restuccia says it simply hasn't been around long enough to amass any long-term data -- or even short-term data involving heavy consumption.”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe?

Stevia

“Another sweetener receiving much publicity of late is stevia, an herbal sweetening ingredient used in food and beverages by South American natives for many centuries and in Japan since the mid-1970s.

According to Ray Sahelian, MD, author of ‘The Stevia Cookbook’, stevia has shown no significant side effects after more than 20 years of use in Japan. ‘There are no indications at this point from any source that stevia has shown toxicity in humans,’ says Sahelian, though he agrees that further research is warranted.

Because stevia is not FDA-approved, it cannot be sold as an artificial sweetener; however it can be -- and is -- sold as a dietary supplement. Because these supplements are not regulated as well as those that have received FDA approval, and therefore have no guarantee of purity, Kava is leery about the use of stevia. ‘This is a product that's just asking for good research studies,’ she says. ‘We just don't know enough yet.’

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe? (Page 3)

Sensitivity

People with Phenylkenoturia (PKU)

“The only people for whom aspartame is a medical problem are those with the genetic condition known as phenylkenoturia (PKU), a disorder of amino acid metabolism. Those with PKU need to keep the levels of phenylalanine in the blood low to prevent mental retardation as well as neurological, behavioral, and dermatological problems. Since phenylalanine is one of the two amino acids in aspartame, people who suffer from PKU are advised not to use it.”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe? (Page 3)

Other Sensitivities

“Some people can be sensitive to artificial sweeteners and experience symptoms such as headaches and upset stomach…”

WebMD: Sweetener in the Spotlight: Is Splenda Safe? (Page 3)

Oral Infectious Diseases

Effects

Nutrition

"Nutrition is an integral component of oral health. The links between oral health and nutrition are many.

· Oral infectious diseases affect diet and nutritional status.

· Likewise, nutrition and diet may affect the development and progression of diseases of the oral cavity."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

"The effects of periodontal infection can alter the capacity of the tissues to utilize available nutrients; therefore, the potential for healing and repair is modified."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Causes

Poor Diet

"A diet low in nutrients can diminish the body’s ability to fight infection. Gum disease is an infection. A well-balanced diet benefits your oral health as well as your overall general health."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Immune System

"Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system, such as leukemia and AIDS, may worsen the condition of the gums."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Side Effects of Medications

"Medications used to treat the oral and systemic manifestations of HIV infection, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases may also have notable side effects on a person's ability to eat, digest, and absorb adequate diet."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Diabetes

"Poorly controlled diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several dental diseases and conditions.

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

Xerostomia (dry mouth) and its consequent reduced salivary flow increase the risk of tooth decay, altered sense of taste, and burning mouth syndrome."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Suggestions

Types

Types: Tooth Decay

"Diet and nutrition have a direct influence on the progression of tooth decay, a preventable oral infectious disease."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Types: Gum Disease

Types: Gum Disease: Nutrients

"Proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients are essential to the health of the periodontal tissue, just as they are to the health of the tissues throughout the body."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Types: Gum Disease: Calcium

"Adults should consume at least three servings of calcium each day. The relationship between calcium intake and gum disease is likely due to calcium’s role in building density in the bone that supports your teeth. Calcium is necessary for healthy bones, teeth, muscle contractions and other body functions."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Types: Gum Disease: Vitamin C

"In addition to calcium, research has shown that not getting enough vitamin C may put you at increased risk for gum disease."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Types: Oral Cancer

"The most consistent dietary findings on the role of diet and nutrition in the cause of oral cancer are the protective effects of increased fruit consumption and the cancer causing effect of alcohol intake."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Balanced Diet

"A balanced diet contains proteins, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and fiber. Nutrient-dense foods include whole grains, fruits and most vegetables."

AmyRDH.com: Nutrition (PDF, 902 KB)

Brushing and Flossing

· "Never share a toothbrush or a rinse cup (even if it's rinsed out). (Some people also recommend getting your own tube of toothpaste since the tube may touch the brush when dispensing the toothpaste, but I don't get that extreme.)

· Use a soft bristled tooth brush, and

· Change it every three months or sooner if it starts looking worn.

· Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and night).

· Brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking when possible. (Brushing your teeth after breakfast is better than brushing before breakfast.)

· Always brush your teeth before you go to bed because we produce less saliva during our sleep and are more prone to damage from bacteria.

· When you brush your teeth, use a toothpaste with fluoride (approved by the American Dental Association [if you live in America]),

· Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the gum line,

· Don't brush too hard (or else you'll scratch your gums up), and

· Make sure you get to every surface.

· Don't forget to brush your tongue.

· Brush for at least two minutes to ensure that the fluoride has a chance to do its job.

· Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly and let it dry out (don't put a cover on it or soak it). (Another way to avoid germ growth on your toothbrush is to make sure your toilet lid is down when you flush. Believe it or not, flushing with the toilet lid up contributes to spreading bacteria, and in the bathroom it can end up on your toothbrush.)

· Floss your teeth,

Including behind your back teeth [?],
At least once a day (preferably before you go to bed), and
Don't forget to rinse your mouth after you floss.

· You can also use a rinse or mouthwash if you like."

Kristen's Guide: Brush your teeth at least 2 to 3 times per day, and floss at least daily. (popup window)

Cavities

Cavities: Factors

"Research shows that the cavity-causing power, or cariogenicity, of a food depends on multiple factors including

· composition of the total diet,

· frequency of consumption of the food,

· stickiness and

· how long the food remains in the mouth."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

"Studies show that differences in foods' cariogenicity depends not only on the

· amount of fermentable carbohydrate they contain, but on their

· frequency of consumption and

· how long they remain in the mouth."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

"[According to the American Dental Association] the primary risk factors to consider in determining the cariogenic, cariostatic, and anticariogenic properties of the diet are

· food form (liquid, solid and sticky, long lasting),

· frequency of consumption of sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates,

· nutrient composition,

· sequence of food intake,

· and combination of foods."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

Cavities: Sugars and Cooked Starches

"Researchers have found that cooked starches remain longer in the mouth, increasing the amount of time the bacteria can feed on them."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

"Fermentable carbohydrateshave been identified as the largest food contributor to dental caries. Sugars such as

· sucrose and glucose do play a role, but recent studies show that

· cooked carbohydrates such as

bread,
crackers,
potato chips or
pasta

also contribute to decay."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

Cavities: Prevention: Recommendations

"Major components of a preventive dental regimen include [ADA]

· nutrition counseling,

· fluoride therapy,

· use of sealants, and

· control of cariogenic bacteria..."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

Cavities: Prevention: Eating Habits

"The order in which foods are eaten also affects their cariogenicity.For example, thecaries-causing potential of a carbohydrate may be reduced if it is followed by eating food with anti-cariogenic properties.

· Foods such

high in fiber,
certain cheeses and
some flavorings

increase salivary flow, thereby decreasing their time in the mouth and making them unavailable to plaque bacteria.

· Alkaline foods, like most seafoods, buffer the acidsproduced by the carbohydratesas they ferment,lessening potential damage.

· Fats also may help bycoating the teethso thatacid does not reach the teeth's plaque."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

"The effect of consuming a soft drink under different situations demonstrates how food intake can impact dental health.

· Soft drinks have a high content of fermentable carbohydrates but can be less detrimental when consumed rapidly than sucking a hard candy for an extended time. Drinking a soft drink slowly throughout the day poses more risk than drinking it quickly. This is because oral pH levels drop for an extended period of time, allowing a longer period of for the bacterial acids to demineralize tooth surfaces.

· Drinking a soft drink at a meal lessens risk because other food properties such as fiber, fat and minerals interfere with the drink's cariogenic potential."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

"Measures such as

· fluoridation of the water supply [possibly--if done using good sources of fluoride and not toxic waste by-products],

· increased professional dental services and

· treatments like dental sealants

have dramatically reduced the incidence of caries among children and young adults."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

Note: Some people believe that fluoridation of water supplies is unhealthy.

· Nutrition: Water: Types of Water: Filtered Water: Fluoride Tap Water

"To continue this trend, Dr. Kashket advises nutritionists to counsel patients about the importance of reducing snacking or 'grazing' habits. "The advice to limit sugary foods is one part of the answer. However, there are clearly very few non-cariogenic foods. People will eat what tastes good. The answer is to eat less frequently, giving the teeth a chance to remineralize."

The Sugar Association: Nutrition Can Impact Impact Dental Health

Related Topics

· Dry Eye Syndrome: More Causes

Processed Food and Junk Food

Fast Food

· FatCalories.com: The Fast Food Nutrition Fact Explorer Database

Processed Food

"Any food that you can buy in a

· Can,

· Jar,

· Packet or

· Bottle

is processed food. That is, food that has been altered from the way in which nature presented it to us, in some kind of factory, as part of a bulk process. It is our belief that all processed food is injurious to health in different degrees, and it is best avoided from our diet altogether."

Praana.com: Processed Food and Junk Food

"Processed food is made and packaged in a factory outside the home and usually contains

· High fructose corn syrup,

· White sugar,

· White flour, and

· Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (trans-fats) such as margarine or shortening, and

· Added chemicals as coloring, preservatives, flavorings.

It may contain nutritional value."

Sedona Labs: Health Matters: Foods that Hurt / Foods that Heal

Junk Food

"Junk food is processed food that contains an insignificant amount of nutritional value."

Sedona Labs: Health Matters: Foods that Hurt / Foods that Heal