A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN MAINTAINING HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS

Abstract

Oral health constitutes a vital component of overall wellbeing, embodying a complex and dynamic interplay of biological, environmental, and behavioral determinants. Traditionally, oral hygiene practices such as regular tooth brushing and flossing have been emphasized as essential for the prevention of dental diseases and the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. However, mounting evidence underscores the equally critical role of nutrition in shaping oral health outcomes (Hujoel, 2009). The nutrients ingested through diet are fundamental not only to the development and structural integrity of oral tissues but also to their maintenance, repair, and functional resilience.

Beyond their direct effects on tooth and gum tissues, nutrients influence the oral microbiome—the intricate community of microorganisms residing in the oral cavity—which plays a pivotal role in health and disease. Moreover, nutrition modulates the host’s immune responses, facilitating defense against pathogenic organisms and regulating inflammatory processes critical in conditions such as caries and periodontitis.