Chapter 5.3: Diet and Coronal Caries

Abstract

In this chapter, diet is revisited to shed light on its role in caries development and management in contemporary populations. Measures applied to promote a rational consumption of sugars and changes observed in sugars consumption are also addressed. A cariogenic diet provokes an imbalance in the oral microbiome, resulting in dysbiosis with predominance of acidogenic and aciduric bacteria in the dental biofilm. Both a cariogenic diet and a balanced diet modulate caries development and progression in contemporary populations. A cariogenic diet particularly impacts high-risk groups and should be avoided. A rational consumption of sugars presents a low risk for caries development in populations with regular oral hygiene practices and exposure to fluoride-containing toothpaste or combined exposure to fluoride-containing toothpaste and fluoridated water. Some initiatives have been developed to promote a rational consumption of sugars, but further efforts should be made in this respect. Although the consumption of sugars has remained high and stable, some countries observed a decrease in caries prevalence. A reduction in the daily consumption of sugars provides general and oral health benefits. Therefore, the intake of sugars should be as low as possible in the context of a nutritionally balanced diet.