Diet and Oral Health: An Investigation Into the Impact of Pakistani Dietary Habits on Oral Disease Prevalence

Background Dietary habits play a significant role in the rising prevalence of oral health disorders, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases, particularly in regions like Pakistan with distinct dietary customs. Objective The primary objective of this research was to investigate the impact of Asian food on the prevalence of oral diseases, with a focus on identifying specific dietary factors that contribute to oral health issues. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out in Lahore between February and July 2024. The sample consisted of 384 adults aged 18 and above, selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing dietary habits and clinical examinations to diagnose oral diseases. Statistical analyses (SPSS version 26: (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), including correlation, regression, and Chi-Square, were used to evaluate the relationships between dietary patterns and oral health indicators. Results The study revealed significant correlations between dietary habits and oral disease prevalence. Among the 384 patients, 287 (74.74%) patients reported high sugar consumption, with a mean frequency of 3.26 times per week, correlating strongly with oral diseases (r=0.45, p<0.01). This group exhibited 179 patients (46.60%) with dental caries and 153 patients (39.58%) with periodontal conditions. Additionally, 262 patients (68.32%) with high carbohydrate intake, averaging 4.14 times per week, showed a moderate positive correlation with oral disease prevalence (r=0.32, p<0.05). Conversely, 193 patients (50.26%) who consumed fruits and vegetables with a mean frequency of 2.51 times per week demonstrated a significant negative correlation with oral disease prevalence (r=-0.40, p<0.01), indicating a protective effect. High sugar intake was associated with greater severity of oral diseases, with mean severity scores of 3.12 for dental caries and 3.20 for periodontal conditions. Conclusion The results show that although consuming more fruits and vegetables has a preventive effect, traditional Pakistani dietary practices, particularly excessive sugar and carbohydrate consumption, are associated with an increased incidence of oral illness.