Nutrition

Tooth loss, dentures, and decreased saliva can lead to alteration in diet. Elders may experience the following:

  • Changed sensory perception of eating (texture and taste)
  • Lowered chewing efficiency
  • Decreased intake of important nutrients
    • Less fresh fruit, vegetables, and fiber in the diet
    • Less Vitamin C and beta carotene
  • Compensatory habits such as sucking mints or consuming sweetened beverages to mitigate dry mouth, which may result in:
    • "Empty calories"
    • Increased caries risk

Soft Diet

Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH

Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

Michelle Wrightson, MD
Michelle Wrightson, MD

References

Nowjack-Raymer RE, Sheiham A. Association of Edentulism and Diet and Nutrition in US Adults. Journal of Dental Research 2003; 82:123-126.

Tsakos G, et al. Edentulism and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Low income Adults. Journal of Dental Research 2010; 89(5):462-467.

Moynihan PJ. The Relationship Between Nutrition and Systemic and Oral Well-being in Older People. Journal of the American Dental Association 2007; 138(4):493-497.