DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_13_26 ISSN: 2231-0762

Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of the Type of Diet on Periodontal Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rohith Kumar Reddy Pothireddy, Lakshmi Puzhankara, Venkitachalam Ramanarayanan
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Abstract

Background:

Diet is a crucial determinant of immune function and can influence periodontal health both directly and indirectly, and it is essential to understand the influence of specific components of diet on the periodontium to modulate the dietary pattern.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of eating habits—i.e., vegetarianism and flexitarianism—on periodontal health. The primary objective was to compare the probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding indices, and oral hygiene status between the two groups. The secondary objectives included measuring the impacts of macronutrient and micronutrient intake on periodontal parameters.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study involving 240 patients attending the Department of Periodontology, MCODS, Manipal, between July 2023 and December 2024. The participants were grouped into vegetarian ( n = 120) and flexitarian ( n = 120) groups. A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to estimate the dietary intake, and nutrients were calculated in accordance with ICMR/National Institute of Nutrition standards. PPD, CAL, Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index, Periodontal Screening And Recording Index, Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), and decayed missing filled teeth were measured. The data were analyzed by chi-square and unpaired t -tests, with ordinal logistic regression assessing the predictors of periodontitis.

Results:

Vegetarians demonstrated significantly lower PPD, CAL, OHI-S, and percentage of bleeding sites compared to flexitarians ( P < 0.001). Calcium and phosphorus intake were significantly higher in vegetarians, while protein intake was higher in flexitarians. Regression analysis revealed age, OHI-S, diet type, energy from dietary contents, calcium, and iron intake as significant predictors of periodontitis.

Conclusion:

Vegetarian diets were associated with more favorable periodontal outcomes. Dietary counseling, emphasizing a balanced diet including plant-based foods and adequate mineral intake, may be associated with periodontal health and support comprehensive periodontal therapy.

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