The Effects of Nutritional Habits on Oral Health: A Survey Study

Authors : Eda İzgi, Nur Mollaoğlu

Pages : 109-119

View : 69 | Download : 40

Publication Date : 2025-05-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: To evaluate nutritional status and oral health awareness in a sample of Turkish population and to determine the relationship between nutritional status, oral health, and oral hygiene habits. Materials and Method: This study was a cross-sectional survey. Using the World Health Organization’s Oral Health Assessment Questionnaire, 16 questions were asked about demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, daily dietary habits, smoking and alcohol consumption, and current oral health. Following intraoral examinations of the volunteers, any caries, and, filled and missing teeth were recorded. The relationship between potential variables and oral health was evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 200 participants were included in the study. There was no significant difference in the distribution of caries, filled and missing teeth scores, and Decayed-Missing-FilledTeeth (DMF-T) index between the genders. It was, however, found that female participants brushed their teeth more frequently and flossed more frequently. Taking time off from work due to oral health problems was more common in female participants than males. There was a significant increase in the frequency of missing teeth and caries in participants who consumed sweet foods and beverages. Conclusion: Results displayed that female participants pay more attention to oral hygiene practices than male participants. A correlation was found between the frequency of consumption of fermentable sugar-containing foods and the DMF-T index. It was concluded that healthy eating habits play a significant role in maintaining oral health and preventing dental diseases.
Keywords : ağız hijyeni, ağız sağlığı, beslenme davranışı, DMF-T, Türk hastalar

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