Dietary Intake Associated with Periodontitis in Adults: A Scoping Review

Background: Periodontitis continues to be a global public health burden that is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Several studies, unsystematized, have evaluated the relationship between consumption of specific foods, nutrients, or eating patterns and the disease, aiming to support personalized and holistic periodontal therapy. Objective: This scoping review aimed to evaluate which dietary intakes are linked to the pathology. Methods: The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed. The inclusion criteria were original studies with adult populations that evaluated diet and nutrient intake in populations with periodontitis. Results: Thirty-six articles were included (26 cross-sectional, 6 cohort studies, 3 randomized clinical trials, and 1 case–control). Specifically, adequate protein intake significantly reduced bleeding on probing, while high fiber intake was inversely associated with alveolar bone loss and tooth loss. Furthermore, higher consumption of vitamins C and D correlated with a reduced periodontitis risk. Negative associations were observed between nutrient groups (vitamin A, C, E, K, flavonoid, fiber) and plant-based food groups (green–yellow vegetables, general vegetables, fruit) and community periodontal index, tooth loss, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss. Broader diet quality also mattered: adherence to healthy anti-inflammatory dietary patterns were consistently associated with lower periodontitis risk, whereas pro-inflammatory patterns were in the opposite direction. Conclusions: This review strengthens the importance of the links between single nutrients, food groups, and eating patterns in periodontitis. Integrating personalized nutritional advice into dental settings represents a valuable host-modulating strategy to optimize periodontal therapy outcomes.