Nutrition Habits and Oral Conditions Within a Representative Swiss Cohort of Adult Subjects

This observational, cross-sectional study investigated the association between nutrition and oral health status in adults aged ≥ 45 years in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland.

Citizens throughout the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, chosen by random sampling, were included in the study according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants filled out questionnaires covering their nutritional aspects and oral hygiene habits before undergoing clinical examination, including the assessment of oral hygiene, dental caries, periodontal disease, as well as prosthetic rehabilitation. Chi-square/Fisher tests, as well as binary and multinomial logistic regression, were performed to investigate potential associations.

275 participants (mean age 69.7 years; female 44%; male 56%) were included in the study. An association between higher age and poorer oral hygiene (RR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.024, 1.117]), higher caries experience (DMFT > 15: RR = 1.152, 95% CI [1.1, 1.207]), and higher prevalence of periodontal disease was observed (OR = 1.038, 95% CI [1.013, 1.063]). Participants who ate vegetables daily had a lower risk of having dental caries (DMFT > 15: RR = 0.437, 95% CI [0.237, 0.806]) and/or poor oral hygiene (RR = 0.309, 95% CI [0.141, 0.674]). Participants who ate nuts regularly presented with better oral hygiene than those who did not eat nuts (RR = 0.356, 95% CI [0.134-0.950]).

Within its limitations, the present study demonstrated the importance of a healthy diet containing fibre-rich foods for the achievement and maintenance of good oral health.