World Oral Health Day: Experts spotlight nutrition’s link to good oral health

20 Mar 2020 --- Celebrated annually on March 20, World Oral Health Day is an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) to raise global awareness of the prevention and control of oral diseases. NutritionInsight speaks to experts in oral and dental health to determine the role nutrition has to play. Unsurprisingly, a balanced diet is key to promoting oral health, while the role of sugar is also flagged, as well as whether plant-based diets contribute to oral health. 

“Oral health and nutrition are very much linked. It is important that people are aware of what exactly they are putting into their bodies and the effect it has on their oral health. Several studies have shown that poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of strokes, heart disease and diabetes. When it comes to nutrition, the best thing you can do for your oral health is to try and make sure the food you're eating is as ‘tooth-friendly’ as possible. This means avoiding sugary foods and drinks, such as sweets or high-sugar ready meals and sauces,” Dr. Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation, tells NutritionInsight.

“A healthy mouth and a healthy diet go hand in hand. A nutritious diet, especially one low in sugar, helps reduce the risk of developing oral diseases, such as gum disease and tooth decay. A healthy diet also reduces the risk of developing other leading chronic diseases worldwide, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” Dr. Gerhard Seeberger, FDI President tells NutritionInsight.

Sugar: the usual suspect
Dr. Seeberger adds that a high intake of free sugars – all sugars added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates⁠ – is linked to an increase in global obesity levels and higher rates of tooth decay. What’s more, there is a growing concern that the intake of sugars (particularly in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages) increases overall energy intake and may reduce the intake of nutrition-rich foods.

This year, World Oral Health Day is spotlighting a YouGov survey of ten countries, which found that less than half of parents proactively limit the intake of sugary food and drinks such as candy, soda drinks and juice to their children as a means of protecting their teeth. 

The survey asked parents with children aged under 18 years “which, if any, of the following have you ever done to ensure your child(ren)’s good oral health?” The results indicated that less than a third of parents in the US limit their child’s sugar intake, while parents in the UK are the most proactive with just over half of parents indicating they restrict sugar levels. Parents in the UK were also top ranked for taking their children at least once a year for a dental check-up whereas less than half of parents in the other nine countries did so.

World Oral Health Day seeks to raise global awareness of the prevention and control of oral diseases. “The rise of free sugars consumption represents a major challenge to our oral health. Global action to prevent dental caries is urgently needed from national leaders and the international public health community. FDI advocates dental caries prevention strategies focusing on individual- and population-based approaches to reduce free sugars consumption, particularly through sugar-sweetened beverages, and we encourage national dental associations to introduce dietary guidelines to reduce free sugars in schools, workplaces, and other public institutions,” Dr. Seeberger further notes.

In the UK, measures against sugars in food and drinks have proved successful in reducing its content. The Soft Drink Industry Levy (SDIL), which came into effect in April 2018, has led to a sugar reduction in beverages of nearly a third, thoroughly beating the initial 20 percent target. 

“In the UK, we seem very much hooked on sugar, as is shown through our food industry which use sugar in many of our foods and beverages. As an oral health charity, we are very pleased that the sugar tax has proved very successful in reducing the sugar content of a number of popular drinks however more could be done. We would like to see the sugar tax extended to dairy drinks such as milkshakes, as well as to smoothies and alcoholic mixer drinks. Ultimately, we would like to see a shift in our relationship with sugar and the food industry has a crucial part to play in that,” notes Dr. Atkins.

Plant-based diet, acidic foods and how to avoid halitosis
The rise of vegan and plant-based diets is undeniable and industry is seeing much innovation in the field. Proponents of the environmentally friendly diets say their benefits extend to overall health, but could this mean oral health as well? Dr. Atkins says no. 

“As long as you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals required as part of a healthy diet then there is little evidence to suggest that a plant-based diet is necessarily better or worse than a meat-based diet for oral health. When it comes to diet, the important things to remember are that you are eating a healthy balanced diet and avoiding sugary, fizzy and acidic foods and drinks,” he notes.

Despite this, he also stresses that halitosis, the medical term for bad breath, can be caused by several factors linked to nutrition. “Eating spiced and strongly flavored foods such as garlic or onions can leave your breath smelling unpleasant, as can coffee. However it’s important to stress that persistent bad breath can also be a sign of gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to bone and tooth loss. If you regularly find your breath is unpleasant then you should book an appointment with your dentist to make sure that it isn’t a sign of something more serious such as gum disease,” Dr. Atkins comments.

Lastly, he stresses that acid, which is found in foods such as sugar, certain dairy products, fish and processed foods, is bad for teeth as it can cause dental erosion – the gradual dissolving of the tooth enamel. 

“More examples of acidic foods and drinks are grapefruit and alcoholic drinks. If you are going to have a sugary or acidic food or drink then you can reduce damage they can do to your teeth by having them at mealtimes only,” Dr. Atkins concludes.

By Kristiana Lalou