Impact of Dietary Patterns on Oral Health and Salivary Biomarkers in Young Adults

Abstract

Diet and oral health share a strong and dynamic connection that influences caries formation, periodontal status, enamel erosion, and overall oral microbial balance. Among young adults, dietary habits often shift toward convenience foods, high sugar intake, acidic beverages, and irregular eating patterns, which collectively contribute to unfavorable oral health outcomes. This study aims to 
evaluate the impact of different dietary patterns on oral health status and salivary biomarkers in individuals aged 18 to 30 years. Saliva, being a first-line defense system of the oral cavity, contains enzymes, antimicrobial proteins, electrolytes, and immune-related biomarkers that reflect changes in oral environmental conditions. Monitoring these biomarkers provides a sensitive, non-invasive method to assess the effects of diet on oral health. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 young adults categorized into three dietary groups: high-sugar diet, balanced diet, and high-acidity diet. Oral examination included DMFT index, plaque index, gingival status, and enamel erosion score. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected to measure pH, buffering capacity, salivary flow rate, calcium and phosphate levels, and inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and C-reactive protein. The findings revealed that individuals consuming high-sugar diets had significantly higher DMFT values, reduced salivary pH, increased cariogenic bacterial load, and 
elevated inflammatory biomarkers. Those with acidic dietary habits showed reduced enamel surface hardness, lower salivary buffering capacity, and higher erosion scores. In contrast, participants following a balanced diet demonstrated optimal salivary composition, healthier oral tissues, and minimal inflammatory responses. The study concludes that dietary patterns strongly influence both clinical oral health parameters and salivary biochemical profiles. High-sugar and acidic diets negatively modify salivary function and promote disease-associated biomarkers. Balanced diets help maintain a stable salivary environment and better oral health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of educating young adults about dietary choices and their long-term effects on oral health.