Food Habits and Tooth Erosion in Malaysian University Students

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Food Habits and Tooth Erosion in Malaysian University Students”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Study (Studying):
In the context of the text, a 'study' refers to a systematic investigation aimed at understanding the relationship between dietary habits and tooth erosion among university students. It encompasses methodology, participant selection, and data collection, leading to insights about the prevalence and risk factors associated with dental erosion in a specific population.

2) Food:
The term 'food' is critical in the study as it pertains to dietary consumption and its potential effects on dental health. Specific types of food, particularly acidic and erosive food, were examined for their contribution to tooth erosion, emphasizing the relationship between nutrition and oral health outcomes.

3) Milk:
Milk is cited as a protective agent against tooth erosion due to its high calcium and phosphate content, which supports enamel remineralization. The study found that increased milk consumption was inversely associated with tooth erosion prevalence, highlighting the importance of dairy products in promoting dental health among the population studied.

4) Table:
The term 'table' in the text refers to organized data presenting the results of the study, including associations between tooth erosion and variables like the frequency of acidic food and drink consumption. It serves as a concise way to summarize findings for better understanding and analysis of results.

5) Surface:
The word 'surface' relates to the specific areas of the teeth assessed for erosion. The examination included various tooth surfaces, and the scoring was based on the severity of erosion, emphasizing the importance of surface integrity in assessing dental wear and erosion within the study's framework.

6) Diet:
Diet signifies the overall nutrition intake and patterns among participants, specifically focusing on the impact of acidic and non-acidic foods on tooth erosion. The study aims to identify dietary contributions to dental health, establishing the significance of dietary choices in managing or preventing tooth erosion.

7) Disease:
The context here refers to 'tooth erosion' as a pathological condition resulting from various factors, including diet. The classification of tooth erosion as a disease underscores the need for preventative strategies and public health awareness to mitigate its prevalence among the young adult population studied.

8) Hygiene (Hygienic):
Dental hygiene practices were surveyed to understand their relationship with tooth erosion occurrence. While the study revealed no significant correlation, hygiene education remains crucial for preventing oral diseases, highlighting the importance of comprehensive dental care along with dietary considerations for maintaining oral health.

9) Measurement:
Measurement refers to the assessment methods used in the study to evaluate tooth erosion severity and dietary factors. Accurate measurements through clinical examinations and questionnaires are essential for data integrity, influencing the reliability of the study's findings and their implications for health promotion strategies.

10) Sour:
In this context, 'sour' pertains to acidic foods, many of which typically have a sour taste and are investigated for their erosive potential on dental enamel. The term emphasizes the dietary component associated with increased risk of tooth erosion, focusing on specific food types within the study.

11) Reliability:
Reliability is a measure of the consistency and accuracy of the results obtained from the study's assessments, such as the Basic Erosive Wear Examination. High reliability ensures that findings can be confidently applied to broader populations and informs further research on dental erosion and risk factors.

12) Mineral:
Minerals like calcium and phosphate, often present in foods such as milk, play a vital role in dental health. The study discusses how these minerals contribute to enamel health and can mitigate the effects of erosive dietary habits, highlighting their importance in promoting remineralization.

13) Science (Scientific):
The term 'scientific' relates to the study's foundation in evidence-based research methodology. It underscores the necessity of systematic data collection and analysis, contributing to the understanding of tooth erosion's prevalence and its dietary associations, which are crucial for informed public health recommendations.

14) Education:
Education, particularly regarding healthy dietary choices, is emphasized in the study results. It indicates the significant impact of dietary information in reducing tooth erosion risk, highlighting the need for effective public health education strategies targeting young adults to improve their dietary and oral health behaviors.

15) Relative:
The term 'relative' can pertain to the comparison of different variables in the study, such as dietary habits relative to tooth erosion occurrence. Understanding these relationships helps to draw conclusions about risk factors and can inform interventions aimed at reducing dental erosion rates.

16) Medium:
In the context of the study, 'medium' might refer to the levels of consumption of certain foods and beverages (e.g., medium levels of acidic drinks). This classification aids in understanding the impact of varying consumption amounts on tooth erosion risk and highlights dietary patterns among participants.

17) Water:
Water, while not extensively discussed in the study, is a fundamental dietary component that can influence oral health. Its role in rinsing the mouth and reducing acidity can be beneficial, supporting the idea that hydration and drinking water can mitigate the effects of acidic dietary habits.

18) Honey:
Honey, as a dietary item, can be classified within the broader category of acidic foods and drinks. Its inclusion in the study highlights considerations around natural sweeteners and sugars and their potential effects on dental health, contributing to the overall examination of dietary influences on tooth erosion.

19) Cina:
China is mentioned in relation to past studies on tooth erosion, providing a geographical reference for the prevalence of the condition in different populations. By comparing findings from China with those from Malaysia, the study contributes to a greater understanding of dietary impacts across cultures.

20) Male:
The term 'male' is relevant as the study analyzed tooth erosion occurrence among different genders. Results showed no significant gender differences in erosion prevalence, which is crucial for understanding how tooth erosion affects various demographic segments within the university student population.

21) Calculation:
Calculation refers to the statistical processes used to analyze data in the study, such as the odds ratios derived from the associations between acidic consumption, milk intake, and tooth erosion. Accurate calculations are critical for making informed conclusions regarding dietary risk factors and dental health.

22) Discussion:
'Discussion' pertains to the section where the study's findings are interpreted and contextualized. This section synthesizes results with existing literature and highlights implications for public health and dental education, framing the findings in a broader context and suggesting areas for future research.

23) Vomiting:
Vomiting is mentioned as an intrinsic cause of tooth erosion due to the exposure of teeth to gastric acids. While not a primary focus of the study, mentioning it underscores the multi-factorial nature of tooth erosion and the importance of considering various contributing factors in dental health assessments.

24) Epidemic:
Epidemic contextually relates to the increasing prevalence of tooth erosion as a major public health concern among young adults. Identifying it as an epidemic highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures to combat rising cases of tooth erosion in particular populations.

25) Dividing:
Dividing may refer to the differentiation of dietary groups in the study, such as acidic and non-acidic foods and drinks. This classification aids in understanding the specific impacts of varying dietary patterns on tooth erosion rates, allowing for focused analysis of contributions to dental erosion.

26) Pregnant:
The term 'pregnant' is included as part of eligibility criteria for participants, indicating that pregnant individuals were excluded from the study. This decision ensures that the study focuses on a specific demographic, eliminating potential confounding factors related to pregnancy that could influence dental health.

27) Meeting:
Meeting might refer to the initial session where participants underwent anthropometric measurements and signed consent forms. These meetings are essential for establishing rapport and ensuring participants understand the study's purpose, thereby enabling accurate data collection and enhancing overall integrity.

28) Account:
'Account' in this context could relate to taking into consideration various factors influencing tooth erosion, including diet and oral hygiene. A comprehensive account of these parameters is necessary for understanding their implications on dental health outcomes in the studied population.

29) Filling (Filled):
Filling refers to restorative dental procedures that might be necessary for individuals experiencing advanced tooth erosion. Although this study doesn't focus on restorative practices, understanding erosion issues can lead to discussions about preventive care and the need for fillings among affected individuals.

30) Family:
The term 'family' frequently suggests the importance of familial dietary habits and knowledge in shaping the participants’ eating patterns. The study also highlights that parental education levels were examined, reinforcing the idea that family influence plays a role in dietary choices affecting dental health.

31) Nature:
Nature could connote the innate characteristics of tooth erosion as a multifactorial disease, influenced by dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Understanding the nature of tooth erosion assists in developing effective prevention strategies tailored to various demographics highlighted in the study.

32) Indian:
Indian refers to an ethnic group included in the study's demographics. Analyzing tooth erosion prevalence among different ethnicities, including the Indian population, provides insights into cultural dietary patterns and their respective contributions to oral health outcomes among university students.

33) Bharu:
Bharu refers specifically to Kota Bharu, a place mentioned in the context of previous studies on dental erosion. Including location adds geographical depth to the research, allowing comparative analysis of dental erosion prevalence and dietary habits across different regions and cultural backgrounds.

34) Kappa:
Kappa refers to a statistical coefficient measuring inter-rater reliability, indicating the agreement between examiners assessing tooth erosion. A reported kappa value of 0.75 implies a high level of agreement, enhancing the credibility of the study's findings and the robustness of the assessment methods used.

35) Campu:
Campu references the setting where the study was conducted, specifically at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Identifying the campus contextualizes the participant population and its unique characteristics, contributing to the understanding of demographic-specific prevalence and dietary habits related to tooth erosion.

36) Thong:
Thong likely refers to an author or researcher involved in previous studies cited within the document discussing dietary factors affecting tooth erosion. Their inclusion reinforces the academic foundation for the study by establishing connections to related research and contextualizing findings within the broader literature.

37) Sugar:
Sugar is a significant dietary component examined due to its role in dental health. High sugar consumption can lead to increased acidity in the mouth, potentially exacerbating tooth erosion risk. The study's findings relate to the broader discussions on sugar intake and its impacts on oral hygiene.

38) Mango:
Mango is among the acidic fruits mentioned concerning dietary habits. While its consumption can contribute to nutrition, it also warrants examination due to its potential erosive effects on tooth enamel. Contextualizing mango consumption in the study allows for understanding the dietary landscape affecting dental health.

39) Lemon:
Lemon, like mango, is recognized for its acidity and potential impact on tooth erosion. Including lemon reflects the broader inquiry into the consumption of acidic fruits within the study, outlining the need to assess dietary habits in relation to dental erosion issues faced by participants.

40) Straw:
Straw is primarily introduced in the context of consuming acidic drinks, where using a straw can mitigate direct contact of the beverage with teeth. This aspect speaks to habits around beverage consumption and their implications for dental health, potentially reducing the risk of erosion from acidic drinks.

41) Kota:
Kota is a geographical reference point, particularly linked to Kota Bharu. Such locations highlight different cultural and dietary practices, contributing valuable context to the study by allowing comparisons of tooth erosion prevalence and dietary choices across communities and their health implications.

42) Coca:
Coca pertains to products like Coca-Cola referenced as examples of acidic beverages in the text. Understanding their role in tooth erosion research is crucial, as identifying their consumption patterns assists in elucidating the relationship between soft drink intake and dental erosion risk.

43) Cola:
Cola, similarly linked to Coca-Cola, serves as an example of soft drinks with erosive potential due to acidity. The mention underscores the importance of beverage choices in understanding dietary risk factors for tooth erosion among the university student population reflected in the study.

44) Qian:
Qian likely refers to a researcher or study from China relevant to the topic of tooth erosion. Citing Qian’s work helps establish a foundation of existing research connecting dietary patterns with tooth erosion, promoting a comparative perspective that enhances the validity of the current study's findings.

45) Pur:
Poor might refer to suboptimal dietary practices observed among participants, leading to inadequate intake of protective foods such as milk. The term reinforces the need for health education, highlighting how better dietary choices could mitigate dental erosion risks among the studied population.