Diet and dental caries

Dental caries prevalence is on the increase in transitional societies in the same way as chronic non-communicable diseases, having been largely controlled in developed societies. The lessons of dietary cariogenicity and preventive strategies, through dental hygiene and fluoride are still to be incorporated into the health policies and practices of many countries, and applied to at-risk populations, like immigrants, in developed nations. Preferred fluoride delivery systems are under active discussion. There is particular concern about nursing practices in early life, and, in later life, adequacy of dentition and of the problems of gingival disease need to be addressed.