DIET AND DENTAL CARIES

Dental caries is a very common and important health problem for children. Caries is five times as common as asthma and, thus, the most common chronic disease of childhood. Even in low caries risk populations, caries is still a very common childhood disease. Diet and nutrition are fundamental in maintaining the general and oral health of populations. The relationship between diet and nutrition and oral health is two-way. Oral health status can be affected by nutrient deficiency and vice versa, that is, any oral health problem may affect nutritional status. Our goal, as oral health¿care professionals, is to provide our patients and their families with the education and tools to increase the probability that they will have the best oral health possible. This translates into identifying the risk for disease early so that we can prevent the manifestations of disease. Dental caries is a very common and important health problem for children. Caries is five times as common as asthma and, thus, the most common chronic disease of childhood. Even in low caries risk populations, caries is still a very common childhood disease. Diet and nutrition are fundamental in maintaining the general and oral health of populations. The relationship between diet and nutrition and oral health is two-way. Oral health status can be affected by nutrient deficiency and vice versa, that is, any oral health problem may affect nutritional status. Our goal, as oral health¿care professionals, is to provide our patients and their families with the education and tools to increase the probability that they will have the best oral health possible. This translates into identifying the risk for disease early so that we can prevent the manifestations of disease.