Do ultra-processed foods obstruct jaw development?

Do ultra-processed foods obstruct jaw development?

A dental society has responded to a study which links consuming ultra-processed foods with stunted jaw development in children.

The study analysed the diets of young children, finding that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods had smaller, less developed jaws. The researchers suggest this is because they are generally softer and require less chewing.

Dr Laura Marques Martinez is an expert in paediatric dentistry at the Catholic University of Valencia and a co-author of the study. She said: ‘Chewing plays a crucial role in the proper development of the jaws as it stimulates bone growth, strengthens facial muscles, and promotes proper dental alignment.

‘Chewing solid and fibrous foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or natural proteins, exercises the jaw, helping to prevent issues like malocclusion (misalignment of teeth) and deficiencies in the size and shape of dental arches.

‘On the other hand, diets based on ultra-processed foods, which are soft and require minimal effort to chew, negatively impact jaw development.

‘These foods, by failing to adequately stimulate the maxillofacial muscles and bones, can lead to underdeveloped bone structures and increase the risk of malocclusion and respiratory problems.’

‘Epidemic of jaw shrinkage’

Speaking to The Telegraph, Zoe founder Tim Spector described this as an ‘epidemic of jaw shrinkage’ leading to ‘a huge rise in orthodontic problems’. He said: ‘The strongest current theory about why the jaws have been shrinking so rapidly is that we’re feeding on our kids baby food really for the whole of their lives. They just don’t develop the jaw muscles or the size of the jaw, and you aren’t really adapted for chewing.

‘This is just another sign of how western countries like the UK and the US have succumbed to this wave of soft, ultra-processed foods that is now the main diet of children, so many of whom are never really having hard proper foods.’

A previous study from the University of Kent supported the theory that many modern orthodontic problems are caused by dietary changes. It said this was due to the ‘soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth’.

Researchers from Stanford University also highlighted that the skeletons of hunter-gatherers had much more developed jaws. Their study suggests this is because they ‘did not gorge on massive soft meals or on calorie-laden, nutrition-free liquids, like soft drinks’. They said: ‘It appears that a transition to softer diets disrupts the signalling system that determines appropriate orofacial structure.’

‘A major health issue in the UK’

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) said that the impact of diet on jaw development was well documented. BOS director of external relations Hayley Llandro said: ‘The theory that modern diets based around softer foods has led to jaw/dental changes over time (eg impacted wisdom teeth) is not new and has been around for some time.’

However she added that the changes had taken place over a long period and dietary alterations were unlikely to have an immediate impact. She said: ‘Changes to jaw development through diet could be possible, but this has likely occurred over many years of evolution.

‘There are not only environmental factors in skeletal and tooth development – genetics play a significant role as well. Unfortunately, simply eating more food that needs chewing will not override our pre-existing genetic tendencies.’

Despite this, the BOS still warned against consumption of ultra-processed foods. Hayley Llandro continued: ‘As health professionals, we would of course support limiting the number of ultra-processed foods consumed as not only do these foods have an adverse effect on overall health, they are often high in sugar, leading to dental caries, which is also a major health issue in the UK.

‘A healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables is good for any patient. We would also say to parents not to be concerned that they need to feed their children hard foods just to prevent the need for braces, as this is not a guarantee.’

Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.

Favorite
Get the most out of your membership by subscribing to Dentistry CPD
  • Access 600+ hours of verified CPD courses
  • Includes all GDC recommended topics
  • Powerful CPD tracking tools included
Register for webinar
Share
Add to calendar