The effects of a dietary supplement of fresh oranges on the oral health of children

Abstract

The effects of additional citrus fruit in the diet on the periodontium have been a debated subject for some time. This study attempted to measure the effects of eating three additional oranges per day by 123 children ages six through twenty years and an equal number of controls over a 23-week period. To measure any changes that might take place, the following were evaluated clinically, and the decayed, missing and filled surfaces were also evaluated radiographically: 1. gingival status 2. plaque formation 3. D.M.F.S. and d.m.f.s. 4. white spots Results after the 23 week test period showed that the gingival scores increased significantly in both groups (increased inflammation). The plaque formation score also increased in both groups, but only the non-orange eaters' score increased significantly over their original score and over the orange eaters' score. The decayed, missing, and filled surfaces and white spots did not change significantly in either group. Therefore with this study sample over the 23-week test period, the additional oranges in the diet had limited measurable effect on the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity.