OET PART B READING

Tufts University faculty debunks common dental myths

7. August 2010 02:39
Brushing, flossing, and twice-yearly dental check-ups are standard for oral health
care, but there are more health benefits to taking care of your pearly whites than
most of us know. In a review article, a faculty member at Tufts University School of
Dental Medicine (TUSDM) debunks common dental myths and outlines how diet and
nutrition affects oral health in children, teenagers, expectant mothers, adults and
elders.

Myth 1: The consequences of poor oral health are restricted to the mouth

Expectant mothers may not know that what they eat affects the tooth development
of the fetus. Poor nutrition during pregnancy may make the unborn child more likely
to have tooth decay later in life. "Between the ages of 14 weeks to four months,
deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, protein and calories could result in oral
defects," says Carole Palmer, EdD, RD, professor at TUSDM and head of the division
of nutrition and oral health promotion in the department of public health and
community service. Some data also suggest that lack of adequate vitamin B6 or B12
could be a risk factor for cleft lip and cleft palate formation.

In children, tooth decay is the most prevalent disease, about five times more
common than childhood asthma. "If a child's mouth hurts due to tooth decay, he/she
is less likely to be able to concentrate at school and is more likely to be eating foods
that are easier to chew but that are less nutritious. Foods such as donuts and pastries
are often lower in nutritional quality and higher in sugar content than more
nutritious foods that require chewing, like fruits and vegetables," says Palmer. "Oral
complications combined with poor diet can also contribute to cognitive and growth
problems and can contribute to obesity."

Myth 2: More sugar means more tooth decay

It isn't the amount of sugar you eat; it is the amount of time that the sugar has
contact with the teeth. "Foods such as slowly-dissolving candies and soda are in the
mouth for longer periods of time. This increases the amount of time teeth are
exposed to the acids formed by oral bacteria from the sugars," says Palmer.

Some research shows that teens obtain about 40 percent of their carbohydrate
intake from soft drinks. This constant beverage use increases the risk of tooth decay.
Sugar-free carbonated drinks and acidic beverages, such as lemonade, are often
considered safer for teeth than sugared beverages but can also contribute to
demineralization of tooth enamel if consumed regularly.

Myth 3: Losing baby teeth to tooth decay is okay

It is a common myth that losing baby teeth due to tooth decay is insignificant
because baby teeth fall out anyway. Palmer notes that tooth decay in baby teeth can
result in damage to the developing crowns of the permanent teeth developing below
them. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent teeth may erupt mal-
positioned and require orthodontics later on.
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Myth 4: Osteoporosis only affects the spine and hips

Osteoporosis may also lead to tooth loss. Teeth are held in the jaw by the face bone,
which can also be affected by osteoporosis. "So, the jaw can also suffer the
consequences of a diet lacking essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamins D and
K," says Palmer.

"The jawbone, gums, lips, and soft and hard palates are constantly replenishing
themselves throughout life. A good diet is required to keep the mouth and
supporting structures in optimal shape."

Myth 5: Dentures improve a person's diet

If dentures don't fit well, older adults are apt to eat foods that are easy to chew and
low in nutritional quality, such as cakes or pastries. "First, denture wearers should
make sure that dentures are fitted properly. In the meantime, if they are having
difficulty chewing or have mouth discomfort, they can still eat nutritious foods by
having cooked vegetables instead of raw, canned fruits instead of raw, and ground
beef instead of steak. Also, they should drink plenty of fluids or chew sugar-free gum
to prevent dry mouth," says Palmer.

Myth 6: Dental decay is only a young person's problem

In adults and elders, receding gums can result in root decay (decay along the roots of
teeth). Commonly used drugs such as antidepressants, diuretics, antihistamines and
sedatives increase the risk of tooth decay by reducing saliva production. "Lack of
saliva means that the mouth is cleansed more slowly. This increases the risk of oral
problems," says Palmer. "In this case, drinking water frequently can help cleanse the
mouth."

Adults and elders are more likely to have chronic health conditions, like diabetes,
which are risk factors for periodontal disease (which begins with an inflammation of
the gums and can lead to tooth loss). "Type 2 diabetes patients have twice the risk of
developing periodontal disease of people without diabetes. Furthermore,
periodontal disease exacerbates diabetes mellitus, so meticulous oral hygiene can
help improve diabetes control," says Palmer.

Source: Tufts University, Health Sciences

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QUESTIONS:

1. This article is about

a. how the nutritional needs of children, teenagers and expectant mothers has an
effect on oral health
b. how the oral health is affected by nutritional needs of children, teenagers,
expectant mothers and other groups.
c. how diet and nutritional needs of children, teenagers, mothers-to-be, and adults
affects one’s oral health
d. disproving some long held beliefs

2. Carole Palmer observes that

a. pies and pastries have low food value and require more chewing
b. lower nutritional quality food needs more chewing
c. nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables have less sugar and require more
chewing
d. too much vitamin B6 or B12 could lead to problems with cleft palate formation

3. According to Palmer

a. asthma is five times less common in childhood than tooth decay

b. school kids with tooth decay pain may have concentration problems at school
c. mouth and dental problems plus a poor diet can affect thinking abilities and be a
factor later on in obesity
d. all of the above

4. According to the article

a. it’s important to make sure you retain baby teeth

b. It’s important that teeth are not exposed for a long time to acids formed by oral
bacteria as a result of eating sugary foods
c. it’s important to look after your baby teeth
d. it’s important that teeth are not exposed to acids formed by oral bacteria from
sugary foods

5. According to the article, baby teeth

a. are dispensable
b. develop to help eat food
c. if lost prematurely, may result in poor development of permanent teeth
d. help with correct development of permanent teeth

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6. Dental health in older people requires

a. properly fitting dentures

b. a calcium rich diet
c. nutritious food containing vitamins D and K
d. all of the above

7. The article says that Osteoporosis

a. may prevent loss of teeth

b. may affect jaw bones
c. jaw bone health may be affected by chewing sugar-free gum
d. none of the above

8. Lack of saliva

a. all of the following

b. results in mouth being cleansed more slowly
c. can be addressed by chewing sugar-free gum
d. may increase the risk of tooth decay

9. Palmer says that Type 2 Diabetics

a. have the same amount of tooth decay as the rest of the population
b. develop periodontal disease twice as fast as the rest of the population
c. develop periodontal disease twice as fast as people without Type 2 Diabetes
d. can help themselves by watching their sugar intake

10. Dental decay is up to us

a. Teenagers obtain almost half their daily carbohydrate requirements from soft
drinks increasing the risk of tooth decay – so they should drink less sugary drinks
b. Older adults with ill fitting dentures, often eat easily-chewable food, low in
nutritional quality – which leads to tooth decay – so they should get their dentures
fixed
c. If baby teeth are not looked after, they may need to come out prematurely, thus
affecting correct development of erupting permanent teeth – so parents should
make sure their children’s baby teeth are kept clean by regular brushing
d. all of the above

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Myths about dental care

ANSWERS

1–c
2–c
3- d
4–b
5–c
6- d
7–b
8–a
9–c
10 - d

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