Dietary Disparities and Dental Caries: The
Influence of Food Insecurity on Oral Health

Dietary Disparities and Dental Caries: The  Influence of Food Insecurity on Oral Health

Volume 2 Issue 2 –December 2024, Page 37-41  

Meghna Dixit1, Kshitij Bhardwaj

Abstract  Food insecurity is a major social determinant of health that has a wide  range of effects on general well-being, including dental health. It is defined  as having limited or unpredictable access to enough food. Globally, this  illness impacts millions of people and families, posing a public health  concern. Food insecurity affects both dental care access and dietary  behaviour, which have a significant impact on dental caries, one of the  most common chronic diseases. In order to better understand how  socioeconomic characteristics, dietary habits, and access to healthcare  services interact to influence oral health outcomes, this review explores the  complex link between food insecurity and dental caries. Access to  wholesome diets and necessary dental care is frequently hampered by  socioeconomic hardship, which raises the incidence of dental caries, Oral  health disparities are further exacerbated by obstacles to dental care, such  as restricted availability of services, budgetary restraints, and lack of  insurance. Food insecurity related psychological stress can also result in bad oral health habits like bruxism or disregarding oral hygiene, which  raises the risk of dental caries even more. This review highlights the need  for focused interventions and policy initiatives that address both food  insecurity and inequities in oral health by summarizing current evidence.  These initiatives are essential to enhancing vulnerable communities'  general health and standard of living. Improving the various factors that  contribute to dental caries and food insecurity can result in more successful  public health campaigns and improved health outcomes.

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