The very real risks of malnutrition
Malnutrition occurs when you do not consume the proper amount of a nutrients that your body needs for healthy function. One example of malnutrition is undernutrition — when you consume too little of a nutrient that your body needs.
Undernutrition can be experienced by anyone, with women, infants, children, adolescents, and all groups living below the poverty line at higher risk. It can also cause a wide variety of health problems — including numerous oral health issues. For example:
-
Lacking calcium and vitamin D can affect your body’s ability to remineralize teeth, which can make cavities and tooth loss more likely to occur.
-
Missing B vitamins can lead to gum disease and cracked lips, and a lack of vitamin B12 can also cause bad breath (halitosis) and bone loss.
-
Low vitamin C can lead to bleeding gums and issues with dentin (the layer under your tooth enamel).
-
An iron or protein deficiency may cause salivary gland dysfunction, which then contributes to dry mouth.
Oral health problems caused by malnutrition can make it more difficult to chew and swallow food. This can then start a harmful cycle — a malnourished person may avoid eating because of the discomfort, which further limits their intake of vitamins and nutrients. Or they may only choose foods that are easy to eat but don’t provide necessary nutrition.
Defeat malnutrition with a well-rounded diet
While the symptoms of malnutrition can be a little worrisome, it is often an avoidable problem for most people. That’s because you can get the nutrition that you need to thrive from healthy meals and snacks:
-
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and Greek yogurt are low in sugar and high in calcium, which helps build strong teeth and bones.
-
Broccoli gives you vitamin C to reduce your risk for gingivitis and vitamin K to support strong teeth and bones.
-
Carrots also offer a vitamin C boost, and they provide vitamin A, which helps maintain your tooth enamel and soft tissues.
-
Asparagus and dark, leafy greens contain vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus to help your body absorb calcium.
-
Celery is another source of vitamins A and C. It also has fiber, a nutrient that helps prevent gum disease.
-
Whole grain breads have less sugar than other bread options and offer fiber, which may reduce risk for gum disease.
-
Almonds, cashews, and other nuts offer protein, calcium, and fiber in addition to other nutrients.
-
Chicken, turkey, and eggs are healthy protein sources for building and repairing muscle tissue.
These are just a few of the foods that can help support a healthy body and a healthy smile. If you need to change or improve your diet, there are many nutritious food options to enjoy!
What about vitamins and supplements? Experts recommend getting your nutrition from food, which can also offer benefits like antioxidants and additional nutrients. However, you should speak to your physician about vitamins and supplements if you need to address a specific deficiency.
Watch for warning signs of malnutrition
Malnutrition can be avoidable if you eat a well-rounded diet and keep a watchful eye on warning signs like gum disease, tooth loss, and bleeding gums. Your dentist may also notice some signs of malnutrition during a scheduled checkup.
If you’re concerned about getting the vitamins and nutrients you need, consult your physician to determine the right diet for you.