Importance of nutrition for optimum health of the periodontium.

As dental professionals become increasingly aware of the association between systemic and oral health, the importance of addressing systemic nutrition issues takes on a new urgency. Nutrition is one of the modifiable factors that impact the host's immune response and the integrity of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. While nutrient deficiencies are rare in the general population of the United States, there are patient populations at high risk for nutritional inadequacies. Many of these medically compromised people are seen in dental practices on a daily basis. This article will also offer some basic recommendations for nutrition counseling.