Nutritional Counseling for Overall Health and Managing Oral and Glycemic Health
Nutritional Counseling for Oral and Glycemic Health
Patients with diabetes will need to understand that there is an associated link in the relationship between nutrition and oral health8 and the importance of a diet that supports their blood sugar levels.1 Learn about the importance of counseling your patients on the benefits of a nutritional diet that can support their oral and glycemic health.
The importance of nutrition counseling for diabetes
Monitoring blood sugar is an important component of managing diabetes.1 Because different foods that contain carbohydrates can affect blood sugar differently, those with diabetes know the importance of monitoring their intake of carbohydrates.1 The three most basic forms of carbohydrates—sugars, starches and fiber—are broken down in the body into a type of sugar called glucose.2 This sugar passes into the bloodstream and is the main source of energy for cells.2
The way that these carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels is known as the glycemic index (GI), which assigns a numeric score to a food, based on how drastically it can make one’s blood sugar rise.1 The glycemic index ranks food on a scale from 0 to 100, with the low end of the scale referring to foods that have little effect on blood sugar levels.2
Those who follow a low glycemic index diet might do so to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, lower the risk of developing diabetes and prevent complications of diabetes.2,3 However, many individuals with diabetes may find it challenging to determine what to eat, as there is no convenient “one-size-fits-all" approach to eating.3
The effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an integral part of treatment in all stages of diabetes, ranging from prediabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to type 1 and type 2 diabetes.5
MNT consists of assessing a patient’s current nutrition status, identifying patients with high nutritional risk and providing nutrition interventions such as diet modification, counseling and evaluation to help prevent complications.4
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that healthcare providers work with patients to collaborate on an individualized eating plan that can address the following issues:3
- support healthful eating patterns and nutrient-dense foods
- develop appropriate portion sizes to prevent overeating and food waste
- consider personal/cultural preferences, health literacy, and access to healthy food
- focus on day-to-day meal planning rather than calculating macro- and micronutrients
- deliver positive messages about food choices
Studies have shown that comprehensive health-coaching intervention for a minimum of 6 months improved diet quality and glycemic control among patients with diabetes.5
Nutrition and oral health
Diet and nutrition are significant influencers of oral health.6 The nature of one’s diet can affect the chances of developing oral conditions such as caries (cavities), periodontal disease or dental erosion.6 Frequent consumption of acidic food and beverages is associated with an increased risk of erosive tooth wear.6 Sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates (such as sucrose) are linked to the development of dental caries.6,7
Periodontitis (gum disease) is a condition defined by the American Academy of Periodontology as the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth, resulting in bone loss or the progressive destruction of tooth-supporting apparatus.6 Specific microorganisms in dental plaque can lead to periodontitis. But the relationship between nutrition and periodontal disease is still being studied.6
The American Dental Association recommends that healthcare professionals emphasize nutritional counseling to patients.8 Doing so can educate patients on the relationship between nutrition and oral health while empowering them to adopt healthy dietary patterns, such as avoiding a diet of ultra-processed foods or added sugar along with a diligent oral hygiene routine.8
Among the different factors that determine a person’s diet, the glycemic index is just one of many tools for making choices about foods and meals.2 In addition, both physical and chemical properties of food can have protective or detrimental effects on oral health.7 Learn more about oral health and products that can help your patients manage health conditions by visiting Haleon HealthPartner.
