Sodium (Na)

Presentation by Jessica Lee

What is Sodium?
Sodium in its pure form is one of the Alkali Metals found on the periodic table of elements as
Na

It was discovered by British chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1807

It is an electrolyte (positively charged cation) which helps to maintain homeostasis

It is also integral in maintaining water and acid balance as well as electrical impulses from
nerves and muscles
Where can you find Sodium?
• Sodium sources are found in nature and in the foods we consume

• “Sodium is found in nature only in the combined state. It occurs in

the ocean and in salt lakes as sodium chloride, NaCl, and less often
as sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, and sodium sulfate, Na2SO4”
(Sodium, 2018).

• Popular foods that are high in sodium include deli meats, popcorn,
chips, cheese and bread
What is the function of Sodium in our bodies?
• Fluid balance

• Nerve impulses

• Muscle contraction

• Water and Acid balance

• Homeostasis
Sodium Deficiency Effects

Deficiency of sodium is not common but life threatening when it occurs

Hyponatremia- condition where the cause tends to be an overabundance of

water in the body which in turn dilutes the body sodium levels

5 Subtypes: hypovolemic, euvolemic, hypervolemic, severe symptomatic, and

pseudohyponatremia

Must be treated early and quickly for best outcomes

Hyponatremia
• “A decrease in plasma sodium concentration creates an osmotic
gradient between extracellular and intracellular fluid in brain cells,
causing movement of water into cells, increasing intracellular
volume, and resulting in tissue oedema, raised intracranial pressure,
and neurological symptoms…With severe and rapidly evolving
hyponatremia, seizure, coma, permanent brain damage, respiratory
arrest, brain stem herniation, and death may occur” (Reynolds,
2006).
Medical Management of Hyponatremia

Patients that have Iv fluids of 3% sodium chloride

hyponatremia are typically are provided
seen in the hospitals

“More so, timely and early

Overall goal is to restrict fluids
appropriate treatment not only
and increase systemic sodium
saves life but also decreases
morbidity” (Mirza, 2017).
Excessive Sodium
• Sodium in excess can be detrimental to the body

• Is more of a concern for the U.S population as we tend to

overconsume sodium

• “It is also estimated that over 86% of adult Americans exceed the
recommended daily limit for sodium consumption—i.e., 2300
milligrams (mg) of sodium per day” (Li, S., et al, 2023).
Conditions from Excessive Sodium

Congestive Atrial Coronary High Blood

Heart Failure Fibrillation Heart Disease pressure

Caries risk
Xerostomia Gingivitis
increased
Medical Management of Excess Sodium

BLOOD PRESSURE ELIMINATION OF ELIMINATION OF DASH DIET

MEDICATIONS PROCESSED FOODS ADDED SALT

INCREASE CARDIO COUNSELING WITH A INCREASE WATER

EXERCISE DIETICIAN OR PRIMARY INTAKE
CARE PROVIDER
Dental Hygiene Considerations

Before starting treatment, conduct a thorough medical history and take vital signs

Check for any medications that can be hypertension related and ask patient why they use
the medication

If patient has high blood pressure reading, ask about any other symptoms they may be
experiencing if they do not or have not been diagnosed with sodium related hypertension

Refer to a specialist if needed

Dental Hygiene Considerations

A blood pressure of 150/90 must be retaken after 5 minutes and if the reading still is
the same, the patient must have a medical consult prior to any dental treatment

Items contraindicated for use when a patient has sodium related hypertension include:
- Air polishing
- Anesthetic with vasoconstrictors

As hygienists we can also offer education on nutritional counseling and how to help
improve the patient's health
Nutritional Counseling

Guide Show Encourage Refer Follow up

Guide the Show them Encourage Refer patient to Follow up with
patient to options to regular doctor a specialized patient at next
increase intake replace the and dental for a more visit to see
of whole, higher sodium visits personalized what changes
unprocessed items with a nutritional plan they have
foods lower sodium that they can implemented
counterpart easily stick to
and have follow
up
Conclusion of Sodium
Sodium, while it is a necessary nutrient, is something that can be
deadly whether it’s in excess or deficiency

It is important to have the proper balance of sodium in our systems

as it is critical to our wellbeing

As a dental hygienist we must also be mindful of patients who have

these conditions
Sources
• American Dental Association. (2022, November). Hypertension https://www.ada.org/en/resources/research/science-and-research-
institute/oral-health-topics/hypertension
• American Heart Association. (2022, December). Get the scoop on sodium and salt. www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-
living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/sodium-and-salt
• Dewey, G., Wickramasekaran, R. N., Kuo, T., & Robles, B. (2017). Does Sodium Knowledge Affect Dietary Choices and Health Behaviors?
Results From a Survey of Los Angeles County Residents. Preventing chronic disease, 14, E120. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd14.170117
• Kerns, E., Patel, S., & Cohen, D. M. (2014). Hourly oral sodium chloride for the rapid and predictable treatment of hyponatremia. Clinical
nephrology, 82(6), 397–401. https://doi.org/10.5414/CN108014
• Khavjou, O., Phelps, D., & Leib, A. (2016, November). Projections of Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence and Costs: 2015-2035. American
Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/get-involved/advocacy/burden-report-technical-
report.pdf?la=en&hash=1A1D32EB3232654F10E5EF44FCDCBE58DEB70CE9
• Li, S., Kuo, T., & Robles, B. (2023). The association between provider encouragement and sodium consumption behaviors. Patient
Education and Counseling, 110, 107671. https://doi-org.lanecc.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.107671
• Marito, P., Hasegawa, Y., Tamaki, K., Sta Maria, M. T., Yoshimoto, T., Kusunoki, H., Tsuji, S., Wada, Y., Ono, T., Sawada, T.,
Kishimoto, H., & Shinmura, K. (2022). The Association of Dietary Intake, Oral Health, and Blood Pressure in Older Adults: A
Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Nutrients, 14(6), 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061279
Sources cont.
• Mirza Faisal Ahmed Rafiq. (2017). Hyponatremia still remains largely undiagnosed and untreated. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care,
21(1), 1–3.
• Reynolds, R. M., Padfield, P. L., & Seckl, J. R. (2006). Disorders of sodium balance. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 332(7543), 702–705.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7543.702
• Sodium. (2018). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1;

IMAGE CITATIONS
• Sass, Cynthia (February 20, 2023) How Much Sodium Should You Eat in a Day? https://www.health.com/nutrition/sodium-facts

• Sodium (2023) Britannica Encyclopedia, 1

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVNMRkl0H9E