The impact of Turkey-specific nutrition on tooth decay

Acid formed by fermentation of cariogenic food causes breakdown of dental hard tissue. Nutritional habits, frequency of cariogenic food intake and its duration are among the major factors in the development of dental decay. Other factors in dental decay are age, gender, oral hygiene, brushing habit, education level and socioeconomic status of the family. The aim of this thesis study is to determine the relationship between oral hygiene and parameters such as age, body mass index, socioeconomic status and brushing frequency in children aged 6-15 years and to determine the relationship between the nutritional habits peculiar to Turkey and tooth decay. Recall records of 399 (199 girls, 200 boys) children ages ranging from 6 to 15 years and treated between 2010 and 2015 by the student dentists at Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry Student Clinic were recruited. Recall records contain the Sociodemographic Form (Appendix-1) which the educational and financial situation of the families are included, the Diet Analysis Form (Appendix-2) which the main meals and snacks are included. The age, weight, DMFT, DMFS, dft, dfs scores, plaque, calculus, gingival, and oral hygiene index are included in Oral Health Condition Form (Appendix-3). In our study, the rate of mothers or fathers graduating from college of good oral hygiene group was found to be significantly higher than that of poor oral hygiene group (p<0.05). Monthly income level distributions of poor oral hygiene group were statistically lower than good oral hygiene group (p = 0.008). Concerning snacks, significant difference was found between DMFT and DMFS averages of consuming and non-consuming groups of supplemented sugars, and processed starchy foods (p<0.05). Significant differences were found between the dft and dfs averages of the patients who consumed milk, 100% fruit juice, doped fruit juices, sweetened desserts, confectionery, extra sugared eaters, cooked starchy foods, processed starchy foods, unprocessed starchy foods. The DMFT and DMFS means of the patients who consumed milk, carbonated beverages and unprocessed starchy foods at the main meals were statistically significantly different from those who did not consume (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the average of dft and dfs of consumed milk, 100% fruit juice, sparkling beverages, sweetened desserts at main meals. The results revealed that children's brushing frequency, nutritional habits and socioeconomic status of their families had a significant effect on dental health. Nutrition is important in terms of oral health since the first day of birth. It has been found in our study that at snacks, milk, home-grown and fortified fruit juices, candy, sweetened desserts, consumed extra sugar, processed and unprocessed starchy foods have the potential for formation of caries. It has been found that not only at snacks but also at main meals are effective in the formation of caries in consumed milk, carbonated beverages, homemade and ready-made fruit juices, sweetened desserts and candies. Nutrition recommendation, shall include the consumption of vegetable-derived foods containing organic, inorganic phosphate, proteins such as cheese, which have a high potential of caries prevention at an individual level with a rich diet with a low sugar content, will help to prevent tooth decay.