BACKGROUND

Diet is a factor that can modify the course of caries, dental erosion and periodontal diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of dietary habits and the anthropometric parameters on oral health.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

50 females and 45 males aged 19-21 years were examined in a cross-sectional study. Oral health was assessed utilizing selected dental indices: approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BoP), community periodontal index (CPI), and DMFT (D - decayed, M - missing, F - filled, T - teeth). In addition, dental erosion was assessed. Anthropometric measurements included body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, skinfold thickness, fatty and lean body mass, body fat percentage, and total body water. The frequency of consumption of food products was determined with the use of the Questionnaire on Food Products Frequency Intake. Student's t tests, the χ2 tests and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

The average DMFT was 9.92, API was 52.97% and BoP was 20.46%. Dental erosion was observed in 44.21% of cases. A total of 11.58% of the study population were classified as CPI 0, 30.53% as CPI 1 and 57.89% as CPI 2. The consumption of crisps and cereal products increased caries (p = 0.003). Dental erosion was associated with the consumption of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and alcoholic beverages. The consumption of sugar, sweets and alcoholic beverages increased API and BoP. Caries rarely occurred in people who ate fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. The anthropometric parameters were associated with oral hygiene, gingivitis and body weight disorders (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Rational nutrition not only plays a role in the development of general systemic diseases, but also has an effect on oral health. Besides providing instructions on oral hygiene, dentists should also assess the eating habits of their patients.