Publication Date

2022

Document Type

Book

Description

Existing literature has investigated the relationship between dental anxieties and oral health, yet the relationship between diet and oral health status has yet to be examined. The purpose of this research study was to determine the correlational relationships that exist between oral health, dental anxiety, and nutrition. Data was collected through an anonymous Google Forms survey which was distributed to patients at various dental offices in the Binghamton-Vestal, NY area as well among Binghamton University students. The distributed survey was composed of the validated Food-Mood Questionnaire with questions pertaining to demographics, dental health and dental health anxieties. A total of 506 responses were collected and analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in SPSS version 25.0. Our results suggest that females are more likely to experience dental anxiety than men. An increase in the consumption of low-quality-energy dense foods, including pre-packaged food, fast food, and sugary foods, a pattern similar to the Western diet, as well as caffeine consumption of 4 times or more per week, were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with increased nervousness and anxiety at the dental office. Frequent consumption of low-quality-energy dense foods was also positively correlated with increased feelings of general mental health distress. Our findings provide a proof of concept that dietary patterns are potentially associated with dental anxiety, and modulation of these patterns may diminish dental-related mental distress.

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Fast-Food, Sugary Food, High Caffeine Intake and Dental-Related Anxieties

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