Nutritional variables related to gingival health in adolescent girls

In order to study the nutritional variables associated with gingival health , a case-control study was designed to control strong variables whose effec t on gingival status may obscure the potential effect of weaker ones, such as nutrition. Two groups of 27 gingivitis-affected and -unaffected female a dolescents were selected. All were aged 17-19 years, with mean age of the t wo groups statistically not different. All were non-smokers, all reported d aily toothbrushing frequency of twice/day or more, and none had clinical si gns of hyponutrition. Mean DMFT of the two groups was statistically not dif ferent. The effect of nutritional variables, obtained by a three-day food r ecord and by assessing the nutritional status of the girls, on presence/abs ence of gingivitis was evaluated by a variety of stepwise logistic regressi on analyses. Age (positive correlation), riboflavin, calcium and frequency of fibre intake (negative correlations) significantly explained the risk fo r gingivitis. Strong intercorrelation between riboflavin and calcium was al so found, due to the high quantity of milk consumed by the girls, since thi s food provided the main source of riboflavin and calcium. The data suggest that some dietary measures may be useful for the maintenance of healthy gi ngival status.