scholarly journals Oral Health’s Transformative Impact on Diet and Systemic Health Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 251-251
Author(s):  
Michèle Saunders

Abstract The 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identified dental caries as a major diet-related chronic disease of public health concern and suggested in the section for adults over 60, “Good dental health is critical to overall health, as well as the ability to chew foods properly." Poor oral health can lead to chronic diseases and impede one’s ability to chew fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-rich foods across the life span. Almost 90 percent of adults ages 20 to 64 years and 96 percent of those over 65 years of age have dental caries. The overall prevalence of complete tooth loss is 2.2 percent among adults ages 20 to 64 years and jumps to 17.3 percent for those over age 65. As a result of COVID-19, some seniors are not seeking regular oral health services, which increases the need for preventive oral health practices and consuming a healthy dietary pattern recommended in the new Dietary Guidelines. Recent research will underscore the importance of saliva and oral health in cancer patients on radiation and in other chronic diseases. Saliva has also been shown to reduce specific infections that are related to influenza and HIV. Participants in this session will gain understanding of factors linking poor oral health and nutrition practices to chronic diseases and guidance on critical preventive oral health practices to increase saliva flow and decrease dental caries through all stages of the life cycle. Promoting oral health is the responsibility of the interdisciplinary team overseeing older adults.

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 997-1004
Author(s):  
M. M. Al Sharbati ◽  
T. M. Meidan ◽  
O. Sudani

We investigated the oral health practices and prevalence of dental caries among Libyan pupils [6-12 years], by studying 389 boys and 373 girls selected randomly from 11 public primary schools in three different residential areas indicating different socioeconomic levels. In all, 321 [42.1%] pupils did not brush their teeth, with significant differences in the different areas. The prevalence of dental caries was 61.9%, with no significant sex difference. At 12 years, the decayed, missing and filled teeth index was 1.63, the average decay per child was 1.26 and the prevalence of dental caries was 50%, but the filling needs met was 0.01. Health education programmes to improve oral hygiene practices should be considered.


2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-197
Author(s):  
Karen Studer ◽  
Naomi N. Modeste

This descriptive study identifies oral health practices, attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about dental care among Fijians living in Vanua Levu. Using convenience sampling, people attending a free community dental clinic volunteered to complete a structured questionnaire. Oral health practices, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about dental care, identified included: more females (95%) than males (88%) practiced brushing their teeth after every meal; the majority (83%) had problems with their teeth and 56% were missing one to five teeth; and knowledge about dental health was higher in females than males. This study supports the need for ongoing education in dental care and will be used for planning future interventions in health education and prevention of caries and other preventable dental problems in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 251-251
Author(s):  
Teresa Marshall

Abstract The 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines identified dental caries as a diet-related chronic disease of major importance. Preventing dental caries and other oral infectious diseases is critical to maintaining an individual’s capacity to chew food, consume nutrient-rich diets, and sustain optimal nutrition status. Pain and infection from dental caries complicates consumption of adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean protein recommended in the Dietary Guidelines. Nutrition and dietary intake can affect the development and integrity of oral cavity and progression of oral diseases. Increased snacking throughout the day in place of three-meals daily raises the risk of obesity and dental caries throughout the life cycle. Older adults who make routine oral health preventive practices, such as brushing, cleaning between teeth, drinking fluoridated water, and chewing sugarfree gum to increase saliva flow can reduce dental caries and oral infectious diseases. Professionals must also consider the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugar intake.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Q. Alkhubaizi ◽  
A. Moule ◽  
M. Al-Sane ◽  
J. D. Sorkin

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Xavier ◽  
Érica Silva de Carvalho ◽  
Roosevelt da Silva Bastos ◽  
Magali de Lourdes Caldana ◽  
Patrícia Ribeiro Mattar Damiance ◽  
...  

Aim: This study presents the prevalence of dental caries and its relation to the quality of life of adolescents according to the access to dental health services. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age participated in the study; they were all enrolled in public schools in a countryside municipality of the São Paulo State. Data related to dental caries were evaluated by the DMFT Index, and OHIP-14 was used for evaluating the quality of life. Mann Whitney and Spearmann correlation tests were also used (p<0.05). Results: A DMFT of 3.09 (±3.30) was found with a higher prevalence among the adolescents who used public dental services (3.43±3.34) compared with those who used private services (2.94±3.28). A statistically significant relationship between the decay component of DMFT with physical pain (0.020), physical disability (0.002) and quality of life (0.017) was verified. Conclusions: A low prevalence of dental caries was observed, and it was higher in adolescents who used public oral health services rather than private ones, evidencing the low influence of oral health on the quality of life of the participants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Késia Lara dos Santos Marques ◽  
Fabiana Sodré de Oliveira ◽  
Larisse Paula de Oliveira ◽  
Natália Martins Joaquim ◽  
Guilherme Silva Mendonca ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to understand the meanings and oral health practices of ten mothers of disabled children between the ages of zero and three years. The qualitative method was used. The data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview and were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the Thematic Content Analysis. Regarding to the oral health care of the mothers, three reported difficult and traumatising experiences and three did not have much contact with dentists during their childhood. Regarding to the children, the age of their first visit to the dentist varied from three months to two years and six months, and the reason for this appointment for seven children was referral by their doctor or by the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional. Seven mothers reported that they brushed the teeth of their children at least twice a day and only two cited the importance of regular dental appointments. For two mothers, the meaning of oral health was to have a perfect smile and for four others, maintain oral hygiene. Half of the mothers related oral health to general health. All reported that dental caries is related to diet and lack of care regarding to oral hygiene. It was possible to conclude that for this group of mothers, oral health has an important meaning and that oral health practices are based on a healthy diet and brushing. Although mothers of disabled children have presented positive attitudes, in general, the results indicated limited knowledge about oral health. The results showed the importance of considering the point of view of the mothers as data of analysis bringing greater proximity with the reality studied. More qualitative studies should be conducted in order to collaborate with the improvement of the oral condition of disabled children.


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