The Dental Diet

1. Dental health is a window into overall health and well-being

The mouth acts as the natural gateway to the body, a portal through which nutrition shapes our health.

Dental health indicators. The condition of our teeth and gums can reveal much about our overall health. Crooked teeth, cavities, and gum disease are not just isolated oral problems but often symptoms of broader health issues. These dental problems can be early warning signs of:

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic inflammation
• Digestive disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes

Holistic approach. Recognizing the mouth-body connection allows for a more comprehensive approach to health. By addressing dental health, we can potentially prevent or mitigate systemic health problems. This perspective shifts the focus from treating symptoms to understanding and addressing root causes of health issues.

2. Modern diet has caused widespread dental problems and chronic diseases

Dental disease—as we know it today—appeared only after the Industrial Revolution, when processed foods became prevalent in modernized society.

Historical perspective. Archaeological evidence shows that our ancestors had remarkably healthy teeth and jaws. The shift to processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and sugar has led to:

• Increased rates of tooth decay
• Misaligned jaws and crooked teeth
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes

Nutrient depletion. Modern food processing strips away essential nutrients:

• Refined grains lose up to 80% of their minerals and vitamins
• Pasteurization of dairy products reduces beneficial bacteria and enzymes
• Refined vegetable oils lack fat-soluble vitamins

This nutrient depletion contributes to both dental problems and broader health issues, highlighting the need for a return to more natural, nutrient-dense foods.

3. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2 are crucial for dental and overall health

Vitamins A and D essentially tell our cells to produce certain proteins—osteocalcin and MGP—that help build and repair teeth and bones by taking calcium where it needs to go, among other things. But for the body to use these proteins, it has to call on vitamin K2 to activate them.

Synergistic relationship. These vitamins work together to ensure proper mineral balance and utilization in the body:

• Vitamin A: Supports bone development and cell differentiation
• Vitamin D: Aids calcium absorption and immune function
• Vitamin K2: Activates proteins that direct calcium to bones and teeth

Sources and importance. Natural sources of these vitamins include:

• Vitamin A: Liver, egg yolks, butter from grass-fed cows
• Vitamin D: Sunlight exposure, fatty fish, cod liver oil
• Vitamin K2: Grass-fed animal products, fermented foods like natto

Ensuring adequate intake of these fat-soluble vitamins is crucial for dental health, bone strength, and overall well-being. Modern diets often lack these essential nutrients, contributing to various health problems.

4. The oral microbiome plays a vital role in dental and systemic health

Your mouth is the gatekeeper of your gut.

Bacterial balance. The mouth harbors a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that play crucial roles in:

• Maintaining oral pH balance
• Protecting against harmful pathogens
• Supporting mineral exchange in teeth
• Influencing overall immune function

Gut-mouth connection. The oral microbiome is intimately connected to the gut microbiome, influencing:

• Digestive health
• Immune system function
• Inflammation throughout the body

Nurturing oral health. To support a healthy oral microbiome:

• Consume fermented foods rich in probiotics
• Eat a diverse range of fiber-rich plant foods as prebiotics
• Limit sugar and processed foods that feed harmful bacteria
• Practice good oral hygiene without over-sanitizing

Understanding and nurturing the oral microbiome is key to both dental and overall health, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to nutrition and lifestyle.

5. Epigenetics: Our diet shapes our genes and health across generations

Your health, in part, is a response to all those messages. One wrong message might result in a hole in your tooth or lead to an autoimmune disease.

Gene expression. Epigenetics reveals that our diet and environment can influence how our genes are expressed, without changing the DNA sequence itself. This means:

• What we eat affects not just our health, but potentially our children's and grandchildren's health
• Nutritional deficiencies or excesses can have long-lasting effects across generations

Dental implications. Epigenetic factors influenced by diet can affect:

• Jaw development and teeth alignment
• Susceptibility to cavities and gum disease
• Overall facial structure and airway development

Generational impact. Examples of epigenetic effects include:

• Children of mothers who experienced famine showing higher rates of obesity and metabolic disorders
• Dental and facial structure changes observed in populations transitioning to processed diets

Understanding epigenetics emphasizes the importance of good nutrition not just for individual health, but for the health of future generations. It underscores the power of diet in shaping our genetic expression and overall well-being.

6. The low-fat diet myth has contributed to poor health outcomes

We aim to eat as few calories as we can, rather than to consume as many nutrients as we can.

Flawed hypothesis. The low-fat diet recommendation, popularized in the late 20th century, was based on incomplete understanding and has led to unintended consequences:

• Increased consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar
• Reduced intake of essential fat-soluble vitamins
• Rise in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates

Fat's importance. Dietary fats play crucial roles in:

• Hormone production
• Nutrient absorption
• Brain function
• Cellular health

Rethinking fats. A more nuanced understanding of fats is necessary:

• Saturated fats from whole foods are not inherently harmful
• Processed vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids can promote inflammation
• Balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids is crucial for health

The shift away from the low-fat paradigm towards a more balanced, whole-foods approach is essential for improving both dental and overall health outcomes.

7. The Dental Diet: A holistic approach to nutrition for optimal oral and overall health

Eating for a healthy mouth and body is not only a matter of picking the right foods. If you want to get the right amount of fat-soluble vitamins and other key nutrients into your diet, the way your food is prepared is just as crucial.

Core principles. The Dental Diet focuses on:

1. Nutrient-dense whole foods
2. Balanced intake of fat-soluble vitamins
3. Supporting oral and gut microbiome health
4. Proper food preparation methods

Key components:

• Grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products
• Organ meats for concentrated nutrients
• Fermented foods for probiotics
• Variety of vegetables and fruits for fiber and minerals
• Healthy fats from sources like coconut oil, olive oil, and grass-fed butter
• Limited processed foods and refined sugars

Preparation methods. Emphasis on traditional food preparation techniques:

• Soaking and sprouting grains and legumes
• Fermenting vegetables and dairy
• Slow-cooking meats with bones for mineral-rich broths

Lifestyle factors. Beyond diet, the approach includes:

• Proper breathing techniques
• Chewing exercises for jaw development
• Stress management for overall health

The Dental Diet offers a comprehensive approach to nutrition that supports not just dental health, but overall well-being. By focusing on nutrient-dense, properly prepared foods and considering lifestyle factors, it provides a framework for optimizing health through natural means.

Last updated: August 4, 2024