Analysis of the association between fast food on oral health and hygiene-a survey

Abstract

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being of an individual and not merely the absence of disease or immunity status of an individual. An unhealthy diet is proven to implicate many risk factors for the incidence of oral diseases. Thus, there are various health education programs to educate people on the importance of a proper healthy diet, thereby reducing the incidence of oral diseases prevailing because of an unhealthy diet. Thus, this survey was done to evaluate the awareness of people towards maintaining a proper healthy diet. This study was done to check the awareness of people towards the risk factors and impacts of fast food on the oral health status of a person. This is a questionnaire based survey. An online questionnaire was shared among 100 dental students in Chennai. Based on the answers from the survey, the data was compiled and analyzed and based on the results of the survey, the responses were analysed through statistical analysis software SPSS version 20.0. The results of the study showed that 90% of the individuals who took part in the survey consumed fast food, out of which 78% of them were non-vegetarians. 91% of them were aware of the complications of having an unhealthy diet and what risk factors it possessed to the oral health of an individual. 40% of the individuals consume fast food at least once a week. 77% knew the causative reasons for the incidence of dental caries in an individual. Within the limits of the study, the study results showed that most individuals who took part in the survey consume food from fast food and they weren’t aware of the impacts of unhealthy nutrition and bad hygiene measures. This survey had created an impact on the individuals by educating them on the benefits of having a healthy diet and proper hygiene.