The Power of Produce: How Nutrition Supports Patients with Chronic Inflammation
As dental professionals, we educate
our patients every single day and stress the importance of proper daily hygiene
habits and nutrition. Our priority is to assist our patients with the goal of
decreasing the occurrence of dental disease, periodontal disease, and decay.
What if we could dig deeper? Could proper nutrition assist in decreasing
inflammation within the mouth as well as overall inflammation? Would it be
possible for us to assist our patients in identifying possible autoimmune
issues or conditions? What would it look like if we could help our patients
prevent or treat chronic diseases?
Oral and Overall Inflammation
Periodontal Disease is an inflammatory disease, resulting in the destruction of the alveolar bone and PDL.1 Over the years, studies have linked between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, low weight births, and so forth. Infection travels from the mouth throughout the bloodstream and affects the entire body. Now, let’s look at inflammation specifically.
Inflammation is our body’s natural physiological response to trauma, injury, and infection. Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and alzheimer’s.2 Chronic inflammation leads to chronic diseases due to a change in environment and/or diet, leading to “toxicity” within our bodies. This toxicity usually starts within the gut, or what we have heard as “leaky gut.” Oxidative stress is the balance between free radicals and antioxidants within the body. Oxidative stress decreases the body’s ability to repair the resulting cell damage. Continual oxidative stress and built-up toxicity leads to food and environmental sensitivities and allergies, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, diabetes, neurological disorders or depression, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Nutrition and oral health correlate. As dental professionals, we have taken at least one nutrition course, and we have learned adequate nutrition is essential for the body’s performance. Poor nutrition can lead to oral disease, and oral disease can make it difficult to eat nutritious foods. When there is periodontal disease or decay present, it is sometimes painful to eat anything other than a soft, liquid diet. We have learned and educated our patients to avoid cariogenic foods and follow the traditional USDA food pyramid. What if we could educate our patients further?
Could an “anti-inflammatory” diet decrease inflammation and improve oral and overall health? Antioxidants and polyphenols, found in fruits and vegetables, decrease free radicals, decrease the overall aging process, and reduce overall inflammation. According to Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, "Some of the foods that have been associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with excess inflammation." He continues by saying, "It's not surprising, since inflammation is an important underlying mechanism for the development of these diseases."2
Oral and Overall Inflammation
Periodontal Disease is an inflammatory disease, resulting in the destruction of the alveolar bone and PDL.1 Over the years, studies have linked between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, low weight births, and so forth. Infection travels from the mouth throughout the bloodstream and affects the entire body. Now, let’s look at inflammation specifically.
Inflammation is our body’s natural physiological response to trauma, injury, and infection. Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and alzheimer’s.2 Chronic inflammation leads to chronic diseases due to a change in environment and/or diet, leading to “toxicity” within our bodies. This toxicity usually starts within the gut, or what we have heard as “leaky gut.” Oxidative stress is the balance between free radicals and antioxidants within the body. Oxidative stress decreases the body’s ability to repair the resulting cell damage. Continual oxidative stress and built-up toxicity leads to food and environmental sensitivities and allergies, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, diabetes, neurological disorders or depression, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Nutrition and oral health correlate. As dental professionals, we have taken at least one nutrition course, and we have learned adequate nutrition is essential for the body’s performance. Poor nutrition can lead to oral disease, and oral disease can make it difficult to eat nutritious foods. When there is periodontal disease or decay present, it is sometimes painful to eat anything other than a soft, liquid diet. We have learned and educated our patients to avoid cariogenic foods and follow the traditional USDA food pyramid. What if we could educate our patients further?
Could an “anti-inflammatory” diet decrease inflammation and improve oral and overall health? Antioxidants and polyphenols, found in fruits and vegetables, decrease free radicals, decrease the overall aging process, and reduce overall inflammation. According to Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, "Some of the foods that have been associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with excess inflammation." He continues by saying, "It's not surprising, since inflammation is an important underlying mechanism for the development of these diseases."2
Support
Methylation and Detoxification:
Leafy greens (spinach, kale), asparagus, and avocados are excellent sources of natural folate that support the methylation cycle. These help reduce homocysteine and support liver detoxification.3
Leafy greens (spinach, kale), asparagus, and avocados are excellent sources of natural folate that support the methylation cycle. These help reduce homocysteine and support liver detoxification.3
Reduce
Inflammation:
Fruits and vegetables are rich in:
Studies have shown a strong link between a plant-rich diet and periodontal health. For example, a vitamin C deficiency contributes to gingival bleeding and periodontal breakdown.8 Increased vegetable intake has been associated with reduced pocket depth and inflammation in gingivitis and periodontitis patients.9
Fruits and vegetables are rich in:
- Polyphenols (berries, apples, onions), which inhibit inflammatory cytokines4
- Vitamin C (citrus fruits, bell peppers), a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals5
- Carotenoids (carrots, sweet potatoes), which modulate immune function6
- These nutrients downregulate pathways like NF-kB and reduce oxidative stress.7
Studies have shown a strong link between a plant-rich diet and periodontal health. For example, a vitamin C deficiency contributes to gingival bleeding and periodontal breakdown.8 Increased vegetable intake has been associated with reduced pocket depth and inflammation in gingivitis and periodontitis patients.9
Support
Autoimmune Health:
Autoimmune diseases are fueled by inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Plant fibers feed beneficial gut flora, reduce leaky gut, and lower systemic inflammation.10
Autoimmune diseases are fueled by inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Plant fibers feed beneficial gut flora, reduce leaky gut, and lower systemic inflammation.10
Lower
Cancer Risk:
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage) contain glucosinolates, which convert to sulforaphane—a compound shown to promote cancer cell apoptosis and enhance detoxification enzymes.11
Role of Dental Professionals in Patient
Education
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage) contain glucosinolates, which convert to sulforaphane—a compound shown to promote cancer cell apoptosis and enhance detoxification enzymes.11
Nutritional
Guidance:
Dental professionals can counsel patients on the oral and systemic benefits of folate-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables, while avoiding processed foods and synthetic folic acid supplements.
Dental professionals can counsel patients on the oral and systemic benefits of folate-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables, while avoiding processed foods and synthetic folic acid supplements.
Screening
and Referrals:
They can identify patients with systemic signs (delayed healing, mouth ulcers) that may suggest deeper issues. Referral to a primary care physician, functional and integrative medicine practitioner, or genetic counselor may be warranted for suspected MTHFR gene mutations or inflammatory conditions.
They can identify patients with systemic signs (delayed healing, mouth ulcers) that may suggest deeper issues. Referral to a primary care physician, functional and integrative medicine practitioner, or genetic counselor may be warranted for suspected MTHFR gene mutations or inflammatory conditions.
Patient
Education Tools:
Providing brochures, handouts, or visual aids in the office about anti-inflammatory diets and oral-systemic health can empower patients to make better dietary choices.
Providing brochures, handouts, or visual aids in the office about anti-inflammatory diets and oral-systemic health can empower patients to make better dietary choices.
Collaboration
with Healthcare Providers:
Dental professionals can coordinate care with primary care physicians, functional and integrative medicine practitioners, genetic counselors, and nutritionists to ensure comprehensive management for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
For individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions, fruits and vegetables are powerful allies. They supply critical nutrients that aid methylation, detoxification, immune modulation, and inflammation control. Dental professionals, by virtue of their unique position to observe oral and systemic signs of dysfunction, are in a prime position to educate, screen, and support patients toward healthier, disease-preventing lifestyles.
References
Dental professionals can coordinate care with primary care physicians, functional and integrative medicine practitioners, genetic counselors, and nutritionists to ensure comprehensive management for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
For individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions, fruits and vegetables are powerful allies. They supply critical nutrients that aid methylation, detoxification, immune modulation, and inflammation control. Dental professionals, by virtue of their unique position to observe oral and systemic signs of dysfunction, are in a prime position to educate, screen, and support patients toward healthier, disease-preventing lifestyles.
References
- Tonetti, M. S., Greenwell, H., & Kornman, K. S. (2018). Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. Journal of periodontology, 89 Suppl 1, S159–S172. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.18-0006
- LeWine, H.E. (2024, March 26). Foods that fight inflammation. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
- Lucock M. (2000). Folic acid: nutritional biochemistry, molecular biology, and role in disease processes. Molecular genetics and metabolism, 71(1-2), 121–138. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1006/mgme.2000.3027
- Manach, C., Scalbert, A., Morand, C., Rémésy, C., & Jiménez, L. (2004). Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 79(5), 727–747. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/79.5.727
- Carr, A., & Frei, B. (1999). Does vitamin C act as a pro-oxidant under physiological conditions?. FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 13(9), 1007–1024. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.13.9.1007
- Kaulmann, A., & Bohn, T. (2014). Carotenoids, inflammation, and oxidative stress--implications of cellular signaling pathways and relation to chronic disease prevention. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.), 34(11), 907–929. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2014.07.010
- Calder P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society transactions, 45(5), 1105–1115. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474
- Chapple, I. L. C., Mealey, B. L., Van Dyke, T. E., Bartold, P. M., Dommisch, H., Eickholz, P., Geisinger, M. L., Genco, R. J., Glogauer, M., Goldstein, M., Griffin, T. J., Holmstrup, P., Johnson, G. K., Kapila, Y., Lang, N. P., Meyle, J., Murakami, S., Plemons, J., Romito, G. A., Shapira, L., … Yoshie, H. (2018). Periodontal health and gingival diseases and conditions on an intact and a reduced periodontium: Consensus report of workgroup 1 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. Journal of periodontology, 89 Suppl 1, S74–S84. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.17-0719
- Pawlowski, A. P., Chen, A., Hacker, B. M., Mancl, L. A., Page, R. C., & Roberts, F. A. (2005). Clinical effects of scaling and root planing on untreated teeth. Journal of clinical periodontology, 32(1), 21–28. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2004.00626.x
- 1Tilg, H., & Kaser, A. (2011). Gut microbiome, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction. The Journal of clinical investigation, 121(6), 2126–2132. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI58109
- 1Zhang, Y., et al. (1994). Anticarcinogenic activities of sulforaphane and structurally related synthetic norbornyl isothiocyanates. PNAS, 91(8), 3147–3150. Retrieved from https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.91.8.3147
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