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Oral health and nutrition guidance for patients

5 mins read Oral health and mouth cancer Diet and nutrition
It is essential that dental care professionals educate patients on the effects of diet on oral health. Diet plays an important role in the development of caries, erosion, periodontal disease and oral pathologies. Key messages for patients and methods for assessing nutritional status are discussed

Given that the mouth is the gateway to the digestive system, diet and nutrition are inexplicably linked to the oral cavity. It is accepted and recognised that a diet high in sugars and fermentable carbohydrates is a risk factors for caries, and that food and drinks with a low pH increase the risk of dental erosion. However, the links between diet and periodontal disease, and malnutrition and oral health are not well-understood, nor are the methods for assessing dietary habits. It is essential that dental professionals educate their patients on the numerous effects that diet may have on their dental health.

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