Abstract Periodontal diseases are prevalent, multifactorial inflammatory conditions that threaten oral health and are increasingly associated with systemic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence identifies diet as a pivotal modulator of the oral microbiome, influencing the onset and progression of periodontal diseases. This review synthesizes current findings on how specific dietary components—including high-sugar foods, dietary fibers, probiotics, and prebiotics—modulate oral microbial composition and function. High-sugar intake promotes cariogenic and periodontopathogenic biofilms through acidogenesis and biofilm maturation, while fiber-rich diets enhance oral microbial diversity and salivary protective factors. Probiotics demonstrate strain-specific effects in restoring microbial balance and modulating host immunity, whereas certain prebiotics, despite benefiting gut microbiota, may exacerbate oral dysbiosis. Notably, dysregulated oral microbiota can translocate beyond the oral cavity, contributing to inflammatory cascades implicated in respiratory, metabolic, and neurological diseases. This review highlights promising dietary intervention strategies and microbiome-targeted therapeutics, advocating for integrative and precision nutrition approaches to reduce the global burden of periodontal diseases and associated comorbidities.
Li et al. (Mon,) studied this question.