Food for thought: nutrition and oral health

By Maria Perno Goldie RDH, MS

Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Obesity is said to aggravate this situation, and chemicals like antioxidants and losing excess weight may lower the level of body-wide inflammation. Higher consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil will also substantially lower inflammatory markers. Nutritional intervention might be a useful method of improving our preventative and therapeutic approaches when guiding our patients.

Authors in this newsletter will review the literature regarding antioxidants and periodontal disease, and the effects of supplementation on disease.

February was National Children's Dental Health Month. Its goal was to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. However, it is important to help children all year. Eliminating childhood tooth decay and ensuring that all children can access the comprehensive care they need for healthy, happy, and productive futures is a goal of the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. Read more about their efforts below. Thanks to all authors who have written for this newsletter!

Sincerely,

Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS

To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS introductions by Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, go to introductions.

Dental hygienists promote healthy habits for children through Esther Wilkins International Education ProgramBy Fern Ingber, Founding President & CEO of the National Children’s Oral Health FoundationThe Esther Wilkins International Education Program (EWIEP), a special program of National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) for dental hygienists, is focused on preventing children's pain and suffering from severe pediatric dental disease. Chaired by Michele Darby, BSDH, MS, Anna Pattison, RDH, MS, Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, and Rebecca Wilder, RDH, MS, this innovative program provides dental hygienists with community educational materials to help promote good oral health practices among children, parents and caregivers.

Dental hygienists, dental hygiene students and dental hygienist programs are already reaching thousands of children with vital oral health education through this rapidly growing program. Program volunteers have found the educational materials to be excellent resources for community outreach. For more information, go to www.ncohf.org/professionals/hygienists/.

The NCOHF Preventive Education Kit covers basic preventive strategies and nutrition appropriate for prenatal through young adult learning levels.“With the NCOHF Preventive Education Kit, I was able to provide the children with important health information on a variety of topics!” commented Mallorie Blankenship, dental hygiene student and EWIEP program volunteer. “I feel fortunate to have these wonderful teaching materials to help children learn more about their oral health.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diet and nutrition affect oral health in many ways. Dental diseases related to diet include dental caries, developmental defects of enamel, dental erosion and periodontal disease. (World Health Organization, 2012) The NCOHF Preventive Education Kit covers a variety of categories concerning oral health, including good oral health practices, germ transmission and nutrition.

Dental hygiene student and EWIEP Program volunteer, Mallorie Blankenship, uses the NCOHF Preventive Education Kit to provide oral health education to children in her community.The Toothfriendly Snacks lesson included in the kit, a favorite among volunteer dental hygienists and children, helps teach children about making healthier food choices and determining which snacks are “tooth friendly”. One young participant in the educational program presented by an EWIEP volunteer said, “I learned so many cool, exciting things about my teeth and the food that makes them healthy and strong.”Education is the key to prevention and dental hygienists can truly impact the lives of children in their communities through participation in the Esther Wilkins International Education Program. “It is wonderful to know that the National Children's Oral Health Foundation through the EWIEP program is helping to reach health care professionals, caregivers, and children with messages of good oral health practices to prevent pediatric dental disease and to finally eliminate the pain and suffering currently experienced by so many,” remarked Lynda Deaton, RDH, a steadfast NCOHF donor and volunteer on the opportunity to change children's lives through this initiative. We invite all dental hygienists to learn more about this smile-saving, life-changing program at www.ncohf.org/professionals/hygienists/. After all, what professionals are more compassionate or have a stronger desire to eradicate preventable pediatric dental disease ...

Fern Ingber is Founding President & CEO of the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation and a community advocate for underserved women and children.

Food for thought: nutrition and oral health

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