ROLE OF NUTRITION ON SOFT AND HARD DENTAL TISSUESMaintenance of Healthy Periodontal TissuesAfter birth, nutritional quality affects tissue synthesis as nutrients work to maintain and repairperiodontal tissues when essential. Since the turnover rate of mucosal cells is from three toseven days, some parts of the oral cavity, especially the sulcular epithelium, can be the first partsto develop signs of poor nutrition. Epithelial cells have fast rates of metabolism, differentiation,and maturation. This fast cell turnover demands steady nourishment. The deficiency or excess ofsome vitamins or minerals may cause salivary gland dysfunction, sulcular epithelium corrosion,pocket formation, hyperkeratinization of mucosa, and osteoporosis of the alveolar bones andother bones in the body.When the host is weak, bacteria attack periodontal tissues. The body then sends defenders tocontrol destructive activity and repair any damage. A thriving host possesses nutrients to aid withbacterial attack. Healthy oral tissue is the best protection against microbe invasion. Somenutrients influence the process of maintaining and repairing periodontal structures more thanothers. Some have a singular benefit while others offer multiple advantages. Their joint effortaffects soft and hard periodontal tissues, host susceptibility, immune response, and woundhealing.In a human being's lifetime, optimal oral health depends on adequate quantities of vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, and E; proteins; calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium; iron; zinc; copper andsome lipids, such as omega-3 fatty acids.1. Lipids perform a key role in one's general health status (energy, obesity, diabetes, andhypertension) and have slight implications for the control of one's oral health status. Lipidsinclude triglycerides, phospholipids, sterols, and lipoproteins. Fat provides a protective layer onteeth and prevents biofilm adherence. Some fatty acids have antibacterial properties. Low levelsof omega-3 fatty acids correlate with a risk for periodontitis. Clinicians should observe caution inrecommending fat intake, as excess is implicated in several chronic diseases.
