Key Nutrients Affecting Oral Health

Flashcards covering key nutrients affecting oral health and their significance.

What role does Vitamin A play in oral health?

It assists in the formation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts and keeps oral tissue healthy.

What are the consequences of Vitamin B deficiency?

Can cause angular cheilitis, glossitis, ulcerations, and unhealthy gingiva.

What is the importance of Vitamin C for oral health?

It is needed for wound healing and synthesizes collagen, which is important for the periodontium.

What happens with Vitamin D deficiency?

It can lead to weak bones.

What is the consequence of Vitamin K deficiency?

It can cause abnormal bleeding.

Why is protein important for oral health?

It helps defend, heal, and repair tissues, maintaining healthy pulp tissue and periodontium.

What role does fat play in oral health?

It prevents demineralization by coating the tooth's surface and raising the pH of the mouth.

How does zinc contribute to oral health?

It speeds up wound healing and the repair process.

What nutrients promote bone density?

Calcium and phosphorus promote bone density and calcify the protein matrix of cementoblasts, ameloblasts, and odontoblasts.

What are macronutrients?

Nutrients that constitute the bulk of the diet, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, macrominerals, and water.

How are calories defined in nutrition?

A calorie in nutrition is actually 1,000 small calories, also called kilocalories.

What is malnutrition?

An imbalance between nutrients the body needs and the nutrients taken, including overnutrition and undernutrition.

What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for adults?

10-35% of calories from proteins, 45-65% from carbohydrates, and 20-35% from lipids.

What is a monosaccharide?

It is the basic unit of carbohydrates.

What is glucose and its significance?

It is the most efficient energy source for the body, and all sugars are converted to glucose.

What is fructose?

The sweetest of all sugars, found in fruits and sweeteners.

What are disaccharides?

Two monosaccharides with at least one glucose, such as sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

What is the function of dietary fiber?

Helps in peristalsis, elimination of water, and removal of food debris on teeth.

What are lipids primarily used for in the body?

Store and provide energy, and facilitate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

What is a triglyceride?

The major form of fat stored by the body.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated have one or more double bonds and are liquid.

What is the function of cholesterol?

It is a precursor for the formation of many steroids and cell membranes.

What are complete proteins?

Foods that contain all essential amino acids, such as meat and dairy.

What defines limiting proteins?

Essential amino acids that are missing or present in the smallest amount.

What are the 9 essential amino acids?

Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine.

What are fat-soluble vitamins?

Vitamins A, D, E, and K that are stored in the liver and can reach toxic levels.

What is Vitamin C's role in the body?

Associated with collagen and wound healing, helps the immune system.

What nutrients are vegans at risk of deficiency for?

Iron, calcium, protein, and Vitamin B-12.

What is the consequence of Vitamin B-12 deficiency?

Can lead to glossitis, hemorrhagic gingiva, and megaloblastic anemia.