Malnutrition and dental caries: a review of the literature
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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
W J Psoter1, B C Reid, R V Katz
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA. wp9@nyu.edu
Abstract:
Protein-energy malnutrition occurs when there are deficiencies in protein, energy foods or both, relative to a body's needs. This paper reviews the association of early childhood malnutrition with: (1) dental caries, (2) enamel hypoplasia, (3) salivary gland hypofunction, and (4) delayed eruption. Studies suggest that caries of the primary dentition is associated with early childhood malnutrition, though the effect on caries of the permanent dentition has essentially not been studied. Enamel hypoplasia, salivary glandular hypofunction and saliva compositional changes may be mechanisms through which malnutrition is associated with caries, while altered eruption timing may create a challenge in the analysis of age-specific caries rates.
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