Role of Diet and Nutrition in Dental Caries

Dental caries is a chronic disease among humans and is a major global oral health problem in the world today. Caries is the demineralisation of dental tissue through acid produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates. It's slow progression results from an ecological imbalance of equilibrium between tooth minerals and oral biofilms characterized by microbial activity. This results in fluctuation of plaque pH due to the acid production, buffering action from saliva and the surrounding tooth structure. The microbial community of caries is diverse and contains many facultatively and obligately-anaerobic bacteria. This Dental disease has been associated with low self-esteem, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increased risk of various life threatening complications. Treatment, prevention, personal hygiene and dietary modification are recommended for dental caries patients.