Teeth affect health as well as eating
by KC Jones, reporter

    Many products advertise ways to make your smile bright because teeth are an important part of our appearance. Teeth are also very important to our health.

    Teeth are primarily used in the obtaining and mastication of food. Chewing food is an important part of the body’s process of nourishing itself. When food enters the mouth, digestion begins, and the better one chews the food, the easier it is for the digestive organs to do their job.

    Thoroughly chewing food so that it is partially broken down before it reaches the stomach not only helps prevent indigestion, but also aids in weight control. Food that is not properly digested is stored as fat.

    When a tooth or the surrounding oral environment becomes diseased, tooth loss can occur. If left untreated, periodontal disease will progress. The pockets between your teeth and gums can grow deeper, allowing in more bacteria that destroy tissue and supporting bone.

    As a result, the gums may shrink away from the teeth making them look longer. Without treatment, teeth may become loose or painful and may even fall out.

    Tobacco products are harmful to periodontal health. Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

    Researchers analyzed 705 individuals, ranging in age from 21 to 92 years old, and found that 17.6 percent of smokers had moderate to severe periodontal disease—nearly three times the percent as non-smokers. In addition, they averaged four missing teeth.

    Smokeless tobacco also can cause gums to recede and increase the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold teeth in place. Chewing tobacco products also contain sweeteners that can cause cavities.

    When a person eats sugar, an acid forms in the mouth within 30 seconds. That acid breaks down enamel and stays in the mouth for 30 minutes.

    While white table sugar is the big offender, even the sweeteners in diet drinks and foods cause cavities.

    Jackie Johnson, associate professor of health sciences, offered advice to those who drink soft drinks.

    “The carbonation in sodas is hard on the teeth. It is better to drink a soda all at once than sip on it throughout the day. Rinsing the mouth with water helps neutralize the acid,” she said.

    The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Coke will dissolve a nail in about four days, a piece of raw meat in about two hours.

    The types of candies that get teeth in trouble are sweet and sour, as well as retentive, sticky, chewy candy. It is not just how much is eaten but how often. Just as bad is sucking on limes or lemons; they pit enamel.

    While some foods damage teeth, certain foods promote healthy teeth. Cheese, nuts and unsweetened cocoa have been proven to have high anti-caries (anti-cavities) properties. Crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery are foods that are self-cleansing for the teeth.

    Apples stimulate the flow of saliva, which lowers the caries rate. Salivary flow is important for preventing cavities because it helps to clean away plaque.

    Certain vitamin supplements can help the mouth. Vitamin C supports the integrity of the gum tissue and helps with bone structure, working with magnesium and calcium for bone strength.
    One way to screen for osteoporosis is to measure the density of jawbone.

    To aid in the recovery of oral surgery, one should take vitamins C and E, a protein supplement as well as the minerals magnesium and zinc to expedite the healing process.

    Deficiency of the B2 vitamin will cause a burning tongue and cracking in the corners of the mouth. Too much phosphorus will inflame the gums and bring blood calcium levels down.