Knowledge and awareness on dietary practice influencing oral hygiene among adults in rural areas of thiruvallur district

Aim: To do a survey on knowledge and awareness on dietary practice influencing oral hygiene among adults in rural areas of thiruvallur district.
Objective: Dental health is not alone concerned with brushing and flossing but also includes dietary habits of people.The physical characteristics of o food, particularly how much it clings to the teeth also influence the tooth decay equation. Methods: A survey was conducted for 100 people in kaivandur, Pandur, Siruvanur of Thrivallur district. A questionnaire about thier dietary practice was given to them which was filled and was returned. Results: About 80% of the participants drink coffee and tea twice a day. 50% of the participants drink soda drinks and citrus juices twice a month.most of them takein fast food once in a month. 70% of the people don't visit there dentist regularly. Conclusion: The people had knowledge about the effect of chocolates and ice cream on the teeth. They did not have awareness about the effect coffee, tea and citrus juices. So the study was carried to enable the public about the effect of these products and to create awareness among them. Hence Dental health programs should be enabled to have knowledge about oral hygiene.