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Immune
system needs nutrients to fight periodontal disease
Although almost any deficiency of any vitamin or mineral can relate
to poor oral health, there are a few vitamins that have been selected
to be especially helpful to the improvement of periodontal disease.
Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 are coenzymes which help the body to metabolize
carbohydrates, energy (FAD and FMN) and amino acid metabolism, respectively.
Each of these processes are essential for cellular repair at the
gingival surface when bacterial acids irritate and burn. Vitamin
C (ascorbic acid) maintains the intracellular matrix of cartilage,
bone and tooth dentin, it is an important component of collagen
synthesis and helps the body in its utilization of iron, calcium
and folic acid. Specific to the gums and supporting structures
of the teeth is Vitamin C's relationship with cartilage, bone, dentin
and collagen. The teeth connect to bone with collagen fibers
(periodontal ligament) and these are the fibers at risk of destruction
with active periodontal disease. The Coenzyme Q-10 has become
popular in skin products, but it also helpful to the outer layers
of the body (the exoderm) when ingested. This coenzyme helps
provides cells with the energy they need for cellular repair--similar
to the function of Vitamin B2.
So the
doses below have been suggested and helpful to some of our clients.
This is not recommended to anybody. A consultation with Dr.
McBride, the hygienist or your physician is recommended before starting
any regimen of vitamin supplementation:
- Vitamins
B1, B2 and B6 at 100 mg each per day
- Vitamin
C at 1000 mg per day
- Co-Enzyme
Q-10 at 100 mg per day
Symptoms
of Deficiencies
This is an generalized description of vitamin
deficiencies and is not intended for a means of diagnosis of a specific
problem you may have. If you think that these symptoms apply
to you, consult Dr. McBride, the hygienist or your physician before
altering your diet or vitamin intake.
Tongue
& Lips (unique characteristic are underlined)
B1--painful, burning tongue; loss of taste acuity
B2--inflammation, fissures and cracks at the corners of mouth/lips;
dry, scaly lips; red to purple color tongue; loss or atrophy
and inflammation of tongue papillae; enlarged fungiform papillae
(the spotty ones on the front 1/2 of the tongue)
Niacin--loss or atrophy of the papillae resulting in a fiery red,
smooth, shiny surface; tender and swollen tongue; ulcerations
on tongue at central surface; fissures and inflamed dryness
in corners of mouth/lips; loss of appetite
B6--inflamed tongue with atrophy of papillae with a red smooth
appearance; fissured, inflamed dryness in corners of mouth/lips
B12--inflamed tongue with atrophy of papillae; bright red painful
and swollen tongue with glossy appearance; altered taste sensations
and decreased appetite
Folic acid--smooth, bright red tongue; patchy surface of tongue
with atrophied papillae; ulcerations along the edges of tongue;
fissured, inflamed dryness at corners of mouth/lips
Iron--fissured, inflamed dryness at corners of mouth/lips; burning,
painful tongue with atrophy of papillae; reddening at the tip
of around margins of the tongue; ulcerations of tongue; pallor
to ashen grey color of lips and tongue
Zinc--impaired taste; thickening and parakeratotic (callousing)
tongue with muscular atrophy
Protein--red, smooth swollen tongue; fissured, inflamed dryness
of corners of the mouth/lips; fissures on lower lip; depigmentation
along inside border of lips
The
most important thing about nutrition is eat a well rounded diet
of various meats, fruits, vegetables and grains. Don't eat
too much of one thing or not enough of the variety. Be careful
of empty calorie foods (snacks that are full sugars or fats without
nutritious value). Drink lots of water. Find a good
multi-vitamin that suits your needs and take it as directed regularly.
Consult the hygienist for a periodontal diagnosis and discuss how
your diet could relate to it.
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