Hunt School of Dental Medicine’s Wilma Luquis-Aponte, DMD, PhD, explains why a balanced diet can lead to improved oral health.
By Stan Goff, Senior Managing Editor
While it’s still summer break for most of us, it is time to think about children heading back to school and to consider how important a healthy diet can be in terms of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.
Wilma Luquis-Aponte, DMD, PhD, recently shared her thoughts with Dentistry Today on National Smile Month (May 12 to June 12) and also offered advice on how best to take care of our smiles.
Dentistry Today (DT): Tell us a little about your background.
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: My name is Dr. Wilma Luquis-Aponte, associate professor and director of special needs dental education at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech Health El Paso. I’ve been practicing as a dentist for over 30 years, with the last 22 in El Paso. I mainly work with patients who have disabilities and those with medically complex conditions.
DT: How do a balanced diet, hydration, and healthy snacks support oral health?
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: A balanced diet provides essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and D that directly strengthen tooth enamel and support gum tissue health. Proper hydration maintains saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth and neutralizes harmful acids produced by bacteria. Healthy snacks, like raw vegetables and nuts, stimulate saliva flow while providing nutrients. Sugary snacks, however, feed harmful bacteria and create acidic conditions leading to decay.
DT: How can dental team members educate patients about sugar reduction?
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: Dentists and hygienists sometimes use visual aids showing before and after photos of sugar damage, explaining the 20-minute acid attack that follows sugar consumption. Demonstrating pH testing in the mouth after consuming different foods can also be particularly effective. It’s important to provide practical alternatives like sugar-free gum or fresh fruit and to focus on gradual sugar reduction to notice an improvement.
DT: Tell us a little about the oral-systemic connection.
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: The mouth serves as a gateway to systemic health: Gum disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and pregnancy complications. Chronic oral inflammation can contribute to whole-body inflammation. Educating patients that oral care is health care, not just cosmetic care, often leads to better compliance.
DT: Can you share some advice for clinicians treating children?
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: Make nutrition education fun and age-appropriate. Use colorful charts showing “tooth-friendly” versus “cavity-causing” foods. Involve parents in the conversation since they control food choices. Focus on timing: Teach that it’s not just what children eat, but when and how frequently. Encourage water as the primary beverage and teach proper brushing after meals.
DT: Are there specific foods that have a big impact on oral health?
Dr. Luquis-Aponte: Yes. Dairy products provide calcium and casein proteins that help re-mineralize teeth and neutralize acids. A healthy gut microbiome supports immune function that protects gums from infection. Food rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin K2 (like leafy greens and fermented foods) actively strengthen tooth structure. Conversely, sugary and acidic foods create an environment where harmful bacteria thrive. Processed foods often stick to teeth longer, increasing decay risk.
For more information on the Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech Health El Paso, visit
ttuhscep.edu/sdm or look for similar articles at dentistrytoday.com.
