One of the main reasons why the oral cavity plays a major role in early detection of disease/malignancy is the fact that the mucous membrane cells have a rapid turnover which is 3-7 days while that of the skin is around 28 days. This signifies to the early manifestations which can be detected by the dental practitioner, and thus probably might save the patient's life, or at least direct him towards proper treatment.
Firstly, it is of significance to define three main terms as stated by W.H.O:
1. Health: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
2. Nutrition: “Nutrition is the science of food and its relationship to health”.
3. Malnutrition: “Malnutrition is the …show more content…
Observe the patient over the treatment period
3. Ask him to drink a lot of water to compensate for the saliva
4. Treat the inflammatory disease accordingly
Nutrients that Aid in Caries Prevention
Caries in the most common oral disease and is greatly affected by diet and nutrition, some foods have good characteristics which help in decreasing and preventing the occurrence of caries which are:
1. Fibers: this will help in cleaning the oral cavity during mastication and thus lessen plaque accumulation
2. Amides/low sugar diet: have proven to show low levels of caries
3. Cheese: is characterized by being cariostatic due to its alkalinity
4. Whole-grain food: need more mastication which stimulates salivary flow
5. Calcium: inhibits caries formation
6. Black tea extracts: increases flurorine concentration in plaque and lessens the cariogenic properties of sugar diets
7. Peanuts, sugar-free chewing gum: act as mechanical stimulators of the secretion of saliva.
8. Fluoride: from water if in proper concentrations will aid in strengthening the teeth
Dental Diseases and Diet
There seems to be a significant relation between candidiasis and lack of iron as well as folic acid, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, K and