[Teeth and nutrition (basic questions)]

Recognized methods used in the science of nutrition are only applicable to a limited extent for nutrition aspects of dental health; the necessity of using more highly differentiated methods of measurement was substantiated. The consumption trends for the most important groups of foodstuffs in recent years was discussed, based on data from the 1980 report on nutrition; nutrient supply and an evaluation of consumption statistics were considered and possibilities for necessary improvements were mentioned. Using the example of theoretical and recent test results for sugar exchange substances, it was shown how many different ways must be considered for symbiosis between man and microorganisms (namely, including lower sections of the intestine) in evaluating foodstuff safety for sugar exchange substances. Those aspects of nutrition control, particularly in regard to dentistry, arising from this study were discussed in a separate section which promote a further development in the relationship between dentistry and the science of nutrition.