Nutrition and the Mouth
Not only is proper nutrition essential to overall physiological wellness, it also plays an imperative role in oral health. The wellbeing of both an individual’s dentition as well as their periodontium and oral soft tissues are reliant on the adequate intake of both macro- and micro-nutrients. Just as proper nourishment maintains an optimal oral cavity, deficient nutrition is often made evident in the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. Frequent oral exams can thus be conveniently utilized to diagnose specific vitamin and macronutrient deficiencies thanks to the signs and symptoms that present themselves in the mouth. Along with inadequate nutrient consumption, increased acid intake and trends in diet which result in an unhealthy BMI can also take a significant toll on the oral cavity. Just as the bodily systems depend heavily on appropriate management of diet, so do the teeth, bones, and soft tissue of the mouth. Failure to provide sufficient nourishment...