Nutrition & Oral Health: An Overview

Nutrition is defined as intake and absorption of nutrients from foods and drinks. Availability of proper nutrition is essential for growth, development and maintenance of overall health. From gestational period to end of life, nutrition influences the structural and functional integrity of dentition and supporting oral tissues, directly or indirectly. If the diet taken doesn't supply enough nutrients needed to support tissues, malnutrition may develop. Poor nutritional intake affects nearly every structure of oral cavity causing further systemic disease. This article basically aims at describing importance of specific nutrients and their effects as well as results of their deficiency on oral health. Knowledge of the relationship between nutrition and oral health will help the dentists to question the patient about dietary habits, early detection of nutritional deficiencies and eventually guiding the patient to lead a healthy lifestyle.