Diet and Oral Health (2nd Edition)

Dear Colleagues,

Diet and oral health are linked through complex biological, behavioral, and microbiological pathways that extend well beyond simple nutrient intake. Long-term dietary patterns, food processing, and texture influence not only enamel integrity and periodontal tissues but also salivary dynamics, neuromuscular function, and the ecological balance of the oral microbiome. Adequate availability of minerals and vitamins—such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins D, A, and C—remains essential for tooth mineralization, immune competence, and tissue repair; however, their effects must be interpreted within the broader context of overall dietary behavior.

Conversely, modern dietary habits characterized by frequent intake of fermentable carbohydrates and acidic foods are consistently associated with microbial dysbiosis, dental caries, periodontal inflammation, and erosive tooth wear. Nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders may further compromise oral health, manifesting as mucosal alterations, impaired wound healing, or functional disturbances related to mastication and salivary flow. Despite growing evidence, the causal mechanisms linking diet-induced microbiome changes to chronic oral diseases remain only partially understood.

Moreover, diet-related systemic conditions—such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders—can amplify oral disease progression, reinforcing the need for an integrated clinical and nutritional perspective.

This second edition of the Special Issue aims to expand and refine current knowledge on the relationships between diet, eating behaviors, the oral microbiome, and oral cavity pathologies, highlighting emerging evidence with direct clinical relevance.

Dr. Alessandro Chiesa
Dr. Luigi Generali
Guest Editors

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