Nutritional Factors Associated with Dental Caries across the Lifespan: A Review

Maria Dimopoulou; Maria Antoniadou; Markos Amargianitakis; Olga Gortzi; Odysseas Androutsos; Theodoros Varzakas

doi:10.3390/app132413254

Applied Sciences (Dec 2023)

Nutritional Factors Associated with Dental Caries across the Lifespan: A Review

Maria Dimopoulou,
Maria Antoniadou,
Markos Amargianitakis,
Olga Gortzi,
Odysseas Androutsos,
Theodoros Varzakas

Affiliations

Maria Dimopoulou: Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agriculture Sciences, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece
Maria Antoniadou: Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Markos Amargianitakis: Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Olga Gortzi: Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agriculture Sciences, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece
Odysseas Androutsos: Laboratory of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
Theodoros Varzakas: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, 24100 Kalamata, Greece

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app132413254
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 24
p. 13254

Abstract

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Nutrition and dietetic care span various life stages, addressing nutritional needs and exploring factors that shape dietary habits. Globally, an alarming disproportion in food resource distribution, coupled with substandard nutritional intake, underscores profound implications for oral health. This is evident in the facilitation of dental caries development and its repercussions on oral soft tissue integrity. While modern markets offer advanced edible products, their effects on oral health, especially in relation to dental caries, remain uncharted. This narrative literature review pursues a four-fold objective: (a) scrutinizing the repercussions of inadequate nutrition on dental caries, (b) exploring psychological determinants influencing dietary habits contributing to caries development, (c) investigating potential implications of newly devised food products on caries formation, and (d) elucidating the role of dentists as facilitators in promoting oral health practices. A comprehensive search spanning PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library yielded 46 cohort, cross-sectional research articles and systematic reviews adhering to standardized diagnostic criteria for dental caries evaluation. The results highlight contemporary lifestyles as potent contributors to heightened risk of caries due to suboptimal nutritional quality and nutrient insufficiency. Additionally, concerns have arisen with the advent of synthetically engineered food products, warranting exploration of potential implications for future caries development and global oral health status. This review emphasizes the pivotal role of dietitians–nutritionists and dental professionals in advocating sound nutritional practices specifically geared towards preventing dental caries. Ultimately, this review contributes to the understanding of the intricate interplay between nutrition, oral health, and the imperative role of healthcare professionals in fostering preventive measures.

Published in Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2076-3417 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); Science: Biology (General); Science: Physics; Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

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