Traditional Foods, Oral Microbiome, and Systemic Health: Molecular Pathways Linking Nutrition and Oral Disease Prevention

Periodontal disease affects 10-50% of the global population and is associated with various systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights diet as a critical, modifiable factor that influences the composition of the oral microbiome and periodontal health. This narrative review explores the molecular mechanisms through which traditional foods modulate the oral microbiome and contribute to oral and systemic health. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, LILACS and Epistemonikos, prioritizing systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials. The oral microbiome harbors over 700 bacterial species, and dysbiosis, characterized by pathogen enrichment, drives periodontal inflammation. Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, demonstrate protective effects. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and D, polyphenols and dietary fiber support periodontal health, whereas refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and pro-inflammatory nutrients can exacerbate disease. Probiotics show promise as an adjunctive therapy. However, the translation to clinical guidelines is impeded by methodological challenges, including the limited number of randomized controlled trials with oral endpoints, confounding by hygiene practices, and the lack of standardized multi-omics approaches. Nutritional counselling should be integrated into periodontal care as a modifiable risk factor. Future research priorities include precision nutrition approaches, the validation of salivary biomarkers, and interprofessional collaboration between dental and nutrition professionals.