Nutrition means intake, absorption, storage and utilization of the food by the tissues. An adequate food taken does not ensure adequate nutrition. In oral-cavity if you have gum trouble, toothache and ulcer in the mouth, this will limit the intake of food. Of course if you have loss of appetite due to illness or medical problems then this will also restrict ingestion of food. There is more than nutrition alone, the total caloric intake must be composed of certain proportion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. There are 8 amino acids and a few unsaturated fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body. So they must be present in food to be gulped.
Introduction
Energy is of prime importance in life. Nutrition is concerned with basic question of how the human body transforms the elements of food into energy. Food supplies energy in the following ways—
1. Electrical – For brain & nerve function.
2. Chemical – For new compounds to form in.
3. Thermal – Regulation of body temperature.
4. Mechanical – For muscle function.
It was Hyppocrates, the father of medicine who said “Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can heal the patient with food.”Diet and nutrition are two different things. Nutrition represents a summation of the intake, the absorption, the storage and the utilization of the food by the body. A diet is what you take—food.
The body has six basic needs, namely
1. Protein
2. Carbohydrates
3. Cellulose
4. Fats
5. Vitamins
6. Minerals
What do each comprise and how do they affect our body, specially teeth?
Protein
The main function of proteins is to build and repair tissues, muscles, glands, nerves and other parts of the body including teeth and surrounding structures. Milk, nuts, egg and fish, meat, pulses, cereals are best sources.
They supply energy for work and fuel to maintain heat. Milk, bread, nuts, pulses and cereals are the main sources.
Cellulose
Commonly referred to as roughage. Roughage is vital in our system, not only it helps in bowel function but also has got the cleansing action on teeth due to mastication. Bran in grain and the bulky fibrous portion of fruits and vegetables offer umbrella protection.
Fat
They supply heat and energy.
Vitamins
Vitamin means “Life substance” or “Life element”. Its basic composition is hormonal, supplied by the glands of internal secretion without which “body ignition” would not take place. Vitamins aid in digestion and metabolism and combat various diseases.
There are eight to twelve different types of Vitamins.
Vitamin-A
Aid in tooth development in infants, Vitamin-A is found in milk, curd, butter, egg, fish and vegetables.
Vitamin-B complex
Bl and B2 help overall body and mental growth.
Thiamine (Bl)
Its deficiency causes hypersensitivity of teeth and oral soft tissues like tongue. Small crack develops at the corner of lips.
Riboflavin (B2)
Its deficiency affects the eyes—conjunctivitis, skin and oral soft tissue.Nicotinic Acid, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid (also called Vitamin M), Biotin, Pyridoxine (B6) and Vitamin B12. Their deficiency is mostly noted in tongue. The tongue becomes bright red and painful, there is stomatitis cracks on tongue. Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, chilli flower, liver & lean meat and yeast are the sources of all the above Vitamins.
Vitamin-C(Ascorbic Acid)
The gum and periodontal lesions associated with scurvy have been known for several hundred years. The oral manifestation of acute scurvy consist of marked enlargement of gum. Gum is spongy, appear to consist of “bags of blood” which bleeds on the slightest pressure. In severe cases, the supporting structure of the tooth becomes infected and tooth is loose and sometimes it is out of mouth. A foul odour is common.
The importance of Vitamin C cannot be denied in maintaining the health of teeth apparatus after the emergence of the milk as well as permanent teeth.The essentiality of Vitamin C for wound healing and tissue reapir is one of the most important indications for its use in the treatment of oral and dental diseases. Fresh vegetables and citrus fruits are the natural sources of Vitamins.
Vitamin-D (The anti-rickety Vitamin) : Deficiency of Vitamin D in the infant produces rickets.A substance which plays such an important role in bone formation and calcium & phosphorus utilization would be expected to have a marked influence on the teeth and jaws. There is also a clinical evidence that an increased Vitamin-D intake may have a caries-protective effect during childhood, although other factors, such as the type of diet, are also extremely important.Fish, liver oil, eggs, milk and all dairy products are sources of Vitamin D.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin-E has been called the fertility vitamin. Dental and oral changes have not been reported.
Vitamin K (Menadione)
Vitamin K is a water-insoluble, heat-stable substance which is found in green leaves, notably in spinach and putrid fish meal.
If oral surgery is necessary in patient with jaundice, Vitamin K should be given.
The presence of Vitamin K in the oral caivity causes reduction in micro-organism and yeast in the saliva.
The flavinoids
They are Carbon-hydrogen-oxygen compounds and found in flower barks and vegetables. A citrus derived flavinoid has a beneficial effect on gum bleeding.
Minerals
In addition to carbohydrates, fats, protein, amino acids and Vitamins, many elements are required in small amounts. The elements Calcium, Phosphorous, Sodium, Potasium, Chlorine, Fluorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Iodine, Copper, Sulphur, Zinc and Cobalt, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon are required for good nutrition.
Silica
Uncommonly heard of silica is the ingredient of good skin hair and nails.lt also assists in hardening teeth enamel. It is found in apples.
Vitamin Therapy
Vitamin in diet is useful when a person is unable to consume an adequate diet. There are two major types of Vitamin therapy—(1) Supportive (2) Therapeutic. The purpose of supportive dose of Vitamin is to protect the individual against the development of vitamin deficiency states during the stress periods such as pregnancy or illness. This is preventive.
Therapeutic Vitamin preparations are indicated for the treatment of specific vitamin deficiency and for maintaining good nutrition.il status in patient with severe debilitating disease”, there is a tendency for the common man to believe that il a little is good, more would be better. Toxic reactions are noted in overmedication with Vitamins.
Do not take Ibis as a signal to slack off on brushing and flossing, hut new evidence suggests that a simple and easy way to prevent gum disease if you have, is by taking a multivitamin pill daily.
Beyond vitamin
Thousands of these substances exist in fruits and vegetables and whole grains. They are neither vitamins nor minerals, and they supply no calories but they protect against disease.