Nutrition & Oral Health

Ethan Smietana, Nicole Stephenson, Sierra Strathy

Health Aspects of Aging

Why do you think nutrition is important as you get older?

Why do you think oral health is important as you get older?

Importance of Nutrition & Oral HealthAging is a natural process

Good nutrition helps keep teeth and gums healthy

Helps improve quality of lifeHealth in the Later Years

NutritionEverything you eat

& drink matters!

Focus on variety, amount, & nutrition

ChooseMyPlate.gov

Choose a variety of healthy food/drinks:

Fruit & Vegetables - GreenGrains - Tan/BrownProtein - RedDairy - BlueHealthy Oils - Yellow ChooseMyPlate.gov

Fruit & VegetablesWhole fruit & vegetables

Rich in nutrients & fiber

Low in calories

Raw, crunchy fruit/vegetables help clean teeth

Buy in season cheaper and at their peak flavor

Choose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

Fruit & VegetablesStock pantry with multiple

forms:

Fresh

Frozen

Canned

“Reduced sodium,” “low sodium,” or “no salt added”

Women: 1 ½ - 2 cupsMen: 2 - 2 ½ cups

Choose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

GrainsWhole grain & fortified foods are good

sources of fiber and B vitaminsSubstitute whole wheat for refined

productsWhole bread for white bread

Check to make sure “whole grain” is first ingredient listed

Women: 5oz (3oz whole grain)Men: 6oz (3oz whole grain)

Choose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

ProteinGo lean with protein

Beef - 92%lean/8% fat

Chicken - buy skinless or remove skin before cooking

Choose seafood at least 2x per week

High in omega-3 fatty acids

Salmon, trout, & herring

Women: 5ozMen: 5 ½ oz

Choose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

DairyFat-free & low-fat milk, cheese, &

yogurt provide protein, calcium, and other important nutrients

Sweeten non-fat yogurt with fruit or savory with chives to enhance flavor

If you avoid milk calcium-fortified juices, cereals, breads, rice, almond, or soy milk

Men & Women: 3 cupsChoose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

FluidsWater, tea, coffee, soups,

fruit & vegetables

Add lemon, lime, or orange to water to add flavor

Fluid-filled fruit/vegetables: bell peppers, grapes, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, melons

Choose My Plate & MyPlate for Older Adults

Green TeaImproves health of teeth &

gums

Inhibits growth of cavity-causing bacteria

Freshens breath by killing odor-causing bacteria

Rich in fluoride - well known tooth strengthener

The Dental Diet: 10 Nutrition Strategies for Healthy Teeth

OilsImportant source of Monounsaturated and

Polyunsaturated fatsPolyunsaturated fat contains essential fatty acids

Main source of vitamin E in diet (Alz)

Common sources:Olive oil, canola oil, other vegetable and cooking oils.

Avocados, nuts, olives, and fish.

Balance is key

Women: 5 tsp.Men: 6 tsp.https://www.choosemyplate.gov/oils

Nutrients Promoting Oral HealthIdeally required from diet

Vitamin C: Promotes gum health Citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, spinach

Deficiency: gum recession, gingivitis

Thiamine:Needed for carb, fat, and protein metabolismDeficiency: oral mucosa sensitivity, burning tongue, & impaired

tasteOlder Adults: 9 Nutrients You May Be Missing

Calcium:Studies show our intake decreases with age

Promote strong teeth and bones

May enhance enamel remineralization

Low-fat milk, salmon, dark leafy greens

Vitamin D:Best source from sunlight

Aids absorption of Calcium

Enhance enamel remineralization

Increased bone density (osteo)

PhosphorusGood for strong teeth

Eggs, fish, lean meat and dairy products

Healthy Nutrition for Healthy Teeth

Nutrients Needed for Oral Health

Oral Health and Nutrition in the Elderly

Added SugarEmpty calories

Overloads liver

Insulin Resistance

Fat production

Leading contributor to obesity in children and adults

Strong statistical association with the risk of heart disease

Poor oral health

https://authoritynutrition.com/10-disturbing-reasons-why-sugar-is-bad/https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/sodium-health-risks-and-disease/

What to Avoid

Processed FoodsContain hydrogenated fats; trans fat: Raises LDL,

Lowers HDL

Spikes blood sugar: may lead to insulin resistance

Empty calories

Healthy Alternatives

High Sodium IntakeCanned foods, fast food

Increased risk for hypertension

Moderationhttps://authoritynutrition.com/10-disturbing-reasons-why-sugar-is-bad/https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/sodium-health-risks-and-disease/

How many times do you brush your teeth per day?

SignificancePoor nutrition can result in a number of chronic

illnesses

Good nutrition can lead to a healthy lifestyle and positive self-image

Pick good portion sizes

Make your plate look colorful

Importance of Oral Health

Allows you to eat the food you would like

Self confidencePositive self-imageCan help lower risks of oral

diseases

What happens when your mouth isn’t healthy...

Dental caries

Tooth Decay

Sugar!

Oral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

Tooth Loss

CalciumVitamin D

Oral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

Periodontal Disease

Vitamin C

Oral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

Oral Cancer● Sugar● Alcohol● Cigarette

s

Oral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

Xerostomia

“Dry Mouth”Not enough

saliva

Oral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

Brushing Your TeethStep 1: FlossStep 2: Pick your

ToothbrushStep 3: Pick your

ToothpasteStep 4: Brush Your

TeethStep 5: Rinse

Prevent It!Less sugar- Watch what

you eat and drinkBrush your teethFloss if you canProperly clean your

teethHave the right

toothbrushOral Health and Nutrition in the

Elderly.

What we need YOU to do!Include fresh, whole foods in diet

Stay away from huge amounts of sugar

Make your plate with colorful foods

Brush your teeth 3-5 times a day and floss

Make vitamins a priority

What are you going to do now to prevent poor nutrition and oral health?

ReferencesAndrews, R. (n.d.). The dental diet: 10 nutrition strategies for healthy teeth. Retrieved from

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/nutrition-teeth-dental-health

Choose MyPlate. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Ferrini, R. & Ferrini, A. (2013). Health in the later years (5th ed.). New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Henshaw, M. M., & Calabrese, J. M. (2001). Oral Health and Nutrition in the Elderly. Nutrition In Clinical Care, 4(1), 34-42.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-5408.2001.00109.x

Jaret, P. (2013). Older adults: 9 nutrients you may be missing. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/nutrition-world-

2/missing-nutrients?page=5

Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. (2011). MyPlate for older adults. Retrieved from

http://hnrca.tufts.edu/myplate/

Marcason, W. (2016). Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth. Retrieved from http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-

supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/healthy-nutrition-for-healthy-teeth