IS DIET A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR FOR RECESSION.

Background: The role of nutrition in periodontal health and its effect on progression of disease is less established. Dietary components play a major role in the pathogenesis of dental caries, but play a modifying role in the progression of periodontal disease. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary influence on gingival recession. Materials and method:330 patients visiting the outpatient Department of Periodontics(217 males and 113 females)were assessedfor their dietary habits and oral hygiene practices which were recorded in the form of aquestionnaire.Periodontal examination included assessment of gingival recession (Miller PD Jr. classification) and Community periodontal index modified was used to record the probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. The questionnaire was divided into nine groups. Group 1(type of diet), Group 2 (type of fruit), Group 3 (type of sauces), Group 4 (snack foods), Group 5 (sugar and its products), Group 6 (Special foods and aerated drinks), Group 7 (milk and its products), Group 8 (environmental factors)and Group 9 (brushing habits). These groups were further divided into sub categories. Results: There was statistical significance to recession with progressing age (p<0.001). Group 1,2 and 3 had no statistical significance to recession. Statistical significance was found in the sub categories of group 4(potato snack),5(chocolate consumers),6(soft drinks and instant drinks),7(milk and frozen milk),8(tobacoo consumption-smoking and smokeless) and 9(frequency of brushing). Conclusion:Diet modifications have the potential to influence periodontal health and disease management by improving clinical outcomes as concluded from the present study.