Dietary Disparities and Dental Caries: The Influence of Food Insecurity on Oral Health

Food insecurity is a major social determinant of health that has a wide range of effects on general well-being, including dental health. It is defined as having limited or unpredictable access to enough food. Globally, this illness impacts millions of people and families, posing a public health concern. Food insecurity affects both dental care access and dietary behaviour, which have a significant impact on dental caries, one of the most common chronic diseases. In order to better understand how socioeconomic characteristics, dietary habits, and access to healthcare services interact to influence oral health outcomes, this review explores the complex link between food insecurity and dental caries. Access to wholesome diets and necessary dental care is frequently hampered by socioeconomic hardship, which raises the incidence of dental caries, Oral health disparities are further exacerbated by obstacles to dental care, such as restricted availability of services, budgetary restraints, and lack of insurance. Food insecurity related psychological stress can also result in bad oral health habits like bruxism or disregarding oral hygiene, which raises the risk of dental caries even more. This review highlights the need for focused interventions and policy initiatives that address both food insecurity and inequities in oral health by summarizing current evidence. These initiatives are essential to enhancing vulnerable communities' general health and standard of living. Improving the various factors that contribute to dental caries and food insecurity can result in more successful public health campaigns and improved health outcomes.