The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine has developed a Bite Site to enhance dental wellness. MAJ Georgia DelaCruz, DMD, MPH Dental Staff Officer, Wellness Resource Program, Directorate of Health Promotion and Wellness U.S. Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) hosts the H4H Clinician's Corner column every month to bring you clinical information, studies, and readiness commentary. She is the Fit 2 Bite dental subject matter expert! USACHPPM risk communications staff members support the review of Fit 2 Bite content.

If you have a question or comment related to dental wellness visit the dentist's chair, flash your smile, and fire away!

by MAJ Georgia DelaCruz, DMD, MPH Dental Staff Officer
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

Happy New Year! We all know that poor nutrition habits are reflected in the way we look, feel and function. Often we forget that poor nutrition also impacts oral health. Did you know that there are three ways that poor nutrition affects oral health?

First, a diet that is high in carbohydrates (starches and sugar) may be sweet and easy to eat, but it promotes tooth decay for all age groups. The bacteria in your mouth use carbohydrates to produce acids that cause decay. Second, decreased intake of vitamins and minerals can directly lead to mouth sores and periodontal (gum tissue) breakdown. Third, poor diet also affects immune system functioning, and people with lowered immunity have been shown to be at increased risk for developing gum disease. The increased susceptibility to gum disease is likely due to a decreased ability to resist periodontal pathogens (disease- causing bacteria).

Making the right food choices not only helps you manage your weight, but also can also protect or improve your oral health. These simple suggestions can help you keep a healthy smile New Year after New Year!

      • Maintain an adequate calcium intake to ensure that your saliva has sufficient calcium to repair or reverse tooth decay in the very early stages. Calcium also prevents the loss of tooth-supporting bone in the jaws as we age. Yogurt, low fat ice cream, puddings or frozen yogurt are calcium-rich dessert alternatives. For those who are lactose-intolerant, calcium-enriched juices, salmon, seafood or green leafy vegetables are all healthy calcium alternatives.

      • Reach for tooth-friendly snack foods including nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, and sugarless gums or candies. These foods do not promote the growth of decay-causing bacteria like other foods do.

      • Remember some foods may actually fight oral diseases on contact, such as hard cheeses and black tea. Hard cheeses, especially cheddar, neutralize decay-causing acids that are produced by oral bacteria in the presence of other foods. Studies indicate that black tea may protect against periodontal disease. Black tea also contains fluoride, which protects against tooth decay.

Oral health and nutrition are partners in overall health and wellness. Children and adults who make good nutritional choices are more likely to have healthy mouths and bodies. To learn more about smart snacking visit the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at: http://www.nidr.nih.gov/health/pubs/snaksmrt/main.htm.