Food selection, dietary adequacy, and related dental problems of patients with dental prostheses

Abstract

lh e course of periodontal disease and dental caries is partially influenced by thch nutritional status and dietary intake of the patient. Nutrition also plays a central role in the state of readiness of the oral tissue for the placement of a prosthesis.‘-i It seems equally plausible that the dental status of an individual may influence thr nutritional adequacy of the diet. Since a dental restoration alters the dental status. an analysis of the diet and related dental problems of such patients may clarify this relationship. Studies have been reported which ( 1 ) test the chewing efficiency and masticator) forces required when dental prostheses arc used.“-” (2) evaluate the effects of decreased checving efficiency on the ability of denture patients to consume certain foodstuffs,g, I” l3 and (3) evaluate the acceptability of specific foods for and food preferences of denture wearers.l’-” However, few studies have been conducted \vhich analyze the normal eating patterns of the subjects and relate the forms of food avoided and substituted to the types of prosthetic restorations. If such a relationship exists, nutritionists and dentists can benefit by supplying appropriately altered edtlcational information to their patients. This study was undertaken to determine if a relationship exists among dental status, food selection, and nutritional adequacy of the diet. Some related issues. such as variations in taste sensitivity, comfort of dental restorations, and the influence of time as a factor in adjustment, \vere also considered.