Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acid for Oral Health

We know how daily flossing, brushing and regular dental check-ups promote dental health and hygiene, but did you know that one of the most important factors to keep your gums healthy has nothing to do with these habits? One critical factor is your diet.

Other than calcium, Vitamin D and phosphorus, Omega-3 fatty acid has been found to have promising effects on gum health.

What is Omega-3 Fatty Acid?

Polyunsaturated fat is divided into two essential fatty acids – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), and they’re called Omega-3 and Omega-6 respectively. Both are identified as essential fatty acids since they can’t be manufactured by the body, and thus, should be sourced from diet. LA is quite abundant in most vegetable oils, such as olive and canola oil. ALA can be sourced from nuts, flaxseed and soy products.

When consumed, LA or Omega-6 fat gets converted to Arachidonic acid (AA) while ALA or Omega-3 fat is converted to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Unfortunately, conversion of EPA and DHA is quite low. This is the reason why experts suggest consuming fish, fish oil and seafoods in high amounts to obtain moderate level of EPA and DHA.

How Omega-3 Fatty Acid Works for Oral Health

There are numerous studies that support the positive impact of Omega-3 intake to the teeth, gums and overall dental health.

For instance, a study in 2010 revealed that consumption of fish oil can lower the risk of having gum disease. Nearly 9,200 participants were evaluated during this study and dental exams were performed. Results revealed that those who were in the middle to the upper third on intake of fish oil were 30 percent less likely to have periodontal disease.

In another study, researchers found that DHA supplementation was linked with marked improvement in periodontitis, an inflammatory gum diseases affecting nearly half of US population. This is a serious disease as it destroys the bones and soft tissue that support the teeth. When the infection spreads, the toxins produced by the bacteria cause damage to the teeth.

Based on studies, the oral health benefit of Omega-3 may extend beyond inflammation as it has potent anti-bacterial effects against a wide range of mouth bacteria. DHA, EPA and ALA, including fatty acid esters may inhibit the growth of pathogens inside the mouth, including Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas ginigivalis.

Get Lots of Omega-3 Fats

While plant-based Omega-3 are extremely healthy and beneficial, clearly it is the Omega-3 from fish and seafoods that provide the best gum diseases-preventing benefits. It is DHA and EPA, not ALA that is critical in preventing heart disease, inflammation and many other illnesses, including gum disease.

Eat at least two servings of Omega-3-rich- fish such as mackerel, sardines, tuna, trout and salmon, every week. Each serving is 75grams or about the size of a palm of a hand.

How Probiotics Help Prevent Gum Disease

Are you giving your children probiotics? It turns out the immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits of these microscopic critters known as good bacteria extend far beyond your gut. Numerous studies have found evidence that they can be a natural, effective means of resolving bad breath, and preventing plaque and gum disease.

A study published in Current Oral Health Reports, has revealed that probiotics seem to help fight cavities and gum disease by maintaining the balance of good bacteria inside the mouth. In another study, it was found that probiotics could help improve dental health by warding off oral pathogens.

How Do Probiotics Work?

Probiotics are normally taken to boost the immune system, keeping the healthy balance of bad and good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics offer a handful of health benefits. Good bacteria boost the immune system and prevent pathogens from gaining a foothold to your tissues. They can destroy or curb the replication of disease-causing microbes by producing chemicals that make it difficult for them to thrive and survive.

Another evidence proves that probiotics exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent inflammation.

While more research is needed to establish the health-promoting benefits of probiotics on gum and dental health, several probiotic strains have shown to improve mouth health and prevent dental problems. Streptococcus and Lactobacillus strains have shown to reduce plaque, the leading cause of gum disease.

A study published by the European Journal of Dentistry showed that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria could help fight gum disease and cavities. In addition, the bacteria Streptococcus salivarius may help manage bad breath.

Dietary Sources of Probiotics

Consumption of probiotics for dental health is one of the fascinating discoveries that proves how food can help prevent disease.

Fortunately, there are many natural food sources that are rich in probiotics. There are dairy and non-dairy sources to choose from. These include:

Dairy:

• Yogurt

• Kefir

• Cultured buttermilk

• Cultured cottage cheese

Non-dairy:

• Sauerkraut

• Kimchi

• Kombucha tea

• Coconut milk yogurt

• Tempeh

• Miso

• Natto

Probiotic supplements are available in various forms – capsules, powder, chewable tablets, drinks and gummies. For best result, choose a supplement that contains more than one strain.

You might take a look at prebiotics too – food components that help promote the growth of probiotics in the gut. They are also known to support digestive health and improve calcium absorption. Prebiotics also comes in supplement form but for best result, choose the natural, digestive route and consume lots of plant-based foods such as raw hickory root, raw Jerusalem artichokes, unrefined wheat and barley and raw oats.  

Obesity in Children and Teens and Its Effect on Their Oral Health

Until now, more and more evidence continue to surface regarding the health concerns linked with unhealthy weight and obesity among children and adults. More often, the focus is on the diseases in the body but recent studies revealed its effect on oral health, specifically the gums.

Based on a study, obesity can affect kids’ oral health in two ways:

First one, obesity highly affects a child’s diet – what they eat and how often they eat. This leads to a higher risk of dental carries and/or cavities. Due to their greater preference for foods high in carbohydrates and sugar, the risk of developing plaque is much greater.

Second, obesity is often associated with an increase in gingival disease. Studies have found that the more overweight a person is, the greater their risk of having gum disease. This could also be due to their diet and the foods they mostly consume.

Prevalence of Gum Disease

In the US, more than 3 million people experience gum disease every year and this figure consistently increases. Gum disease refers to an infection of the tissues that surround the teeth, known as the gums. But gum disease can be prevented, regardless of your weight.

At the early stages of gum disease, the damage can be reversed. But once it progresses into a severe level of infection, the damage becomes a lifetime. Such stage is called periodontitis. When this infection emerge, the gums tend to pull away from the teeth. If left ignored, the damage can reach into the bones and supportive tissues of the mouth, leading to a more serious condition, including tooth loss.

One of the biggest factors of having gum disease is poor dental hygiene. Because dental plaque develops on the teeth, it could turn into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed through regular brushing and requires professional dental cleaning. Hence, it is important not to miss dental appointments.

How Puberty Affects Your Child’s Oral Health

Puberty is the stage that brings many changes to boys and girls. Puberty in girls usually begin at around 10 to 11 whiles boys are a bit late at 11 to 12. In general, this stage often takes 5 to 6 years, in which children’s reproductive organs and sexual characteristics emerge to maturity.

Hormone levels rise, voice changes, bodies and muscles develops, sexual attraction starts and an overall increase in consciousness on self-image and appearance reveals. Along with this general changes, their oral health can also be affected.

How Hormone Changes Affect Their Dental Health

Hormonal changes during puberty often affects girls and as such, parents should give oral care utmost concern. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone trigger changes in the girls’ bodies. Such sex hormones during puberty stage can cause a number of dental issues including puberty gingivitis, characterized by bleeding and swelling of gums.

The onset of menstruation causes an increase of hormones that encourage the growth of oral bacteria. In fact, many girls and even boys during puberty experience symptoms of gum sensitivity and gingival bleeding.

Some adult women still experience menstruation gingivitis before their menstruation start. Menstruation gingivitis symptoms include swollen, tender, red gums and mouth sores. Improper oral cancer can worsen these symptoms.

Increase in certain hormones can also increase microbial growth, which is the reason why cavities and bad breath are quite common among adolescents.

Other Issues on Oral Health

As children grows and permanent teeth starts to erupt, they may experience changes in the appearance of their mouth, including the shape of their bite. By the time puberty sets in, most of the adult teeth already surfaced. This is the time when certain orthodontic treatments usually begin.

One of the most important concerns for children with braces is the need to maintain proper oral care carefully. Due to the extra attachments on the teeth, there are many corners for food bits to stick to, causing dental carries.

Proper tooth brushing and having regular dental visit for professional cleaning are very important to prevent the development of carries.

Tooth staining is very common among teens. This is due to changes in diet and consumption of dark soda and tea.

How to Manage the Impact of Puberty on Oral Health

During puberty stage, many adolescents face many struggles, primarily on their emotional and social aspects. Peer pressure, increased self-consciousness to self-image and identity crisis can affect a child’s focus on proper dental care.

Good oral care can make a positive impact on an adolescent’s self-image. Parents should reinforce healthy dental practices through regular brushing and flossing and having proper nutrition. The puberty stage is often the time when a young person faces many changes in his/her life. This is also a great time to practice good dental care habits that they will follow for the rest of their life.