ABSTRACT

Childhood malnutrition is generally thought of as being restricted to developing countries, but, although most malnutrition occurs there, it is also present in developed nations. During early developmental years of the child, it appears that malnutrition has severe effects on the growth and differentiation of different tissues. Even oral tissues, including the teeth, are very sensitive to the changes in the nutritional supply at these particular developing stages, thus increasing the ill effects on the oral structures. Tooth defects provide a more cariogenic environment and less protection which increases the susceptibility of teeth to demineralization. The shielding mechanism of saliva is also distressed during malnutrition, thus drastically affecting the oral environment.

Keywords: Protein-energy malnutrition, dental caries, saliva, enamel hypoplasia