title: Nutrition, dental caries and periodontal disease: a narrative review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a narrative review of the role of macro- and micronutrients in relation to dental caries, gingival bleeding and destructive periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review is based on systematic reviews (when available) and comparative human studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dental caries cannot develop without the presence of dietary fermentable carbohydrates, in particular sugar. The susceptibility to develop caries in the presence of carbohydrates may be influenced by genetics and micronutrients such as vitamin D. Gingival bleeding and destructive periodontal disease are sensitive markers to both abnormalities in macronutrient content (excessive carbohydrates or poly-unsaturated fat intake, deficient protein intake) and micronutrient intake (e.g. vitamin C and B12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental caries and periodontal diseases are a sensitive alarm bell for an unhealthy diet, which predicts the future onset of the diseases of civilizations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.|Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Philippe P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Hujoel
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lingström
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: dental caries; gingivitis; nutrition; periodontal disease; periodontitis