Periodontal disease is a multifactorial infectious and immunoinflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding the teeth, potentially leading to irreversible damage and tooth loss. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial to preventing its progression and associated systemic health risks. Traditional clinical diagnostic methods, such as probing depth and radiographic assessments, have limitations in detecting early-stage disease. Consequently, molecular biomarkers found in saliva have emerged as promising tools for the early diagnosis and monitoring of periodontal disease. These biomarkers include inflammatory mediators, enzymes, bone remodeling markers, and microbial metabolites, providing valuable insights into disease status and progression. Advances in omics technologies, including proteomics and genomics, have further enhanced the identification of potential biomarkers, paving the way for precision medicine in periodontology. This chapter reviews the role of specific salivary biomarkers in periodontal disease assessment, highlighting their diagnostic potential, clinical applications, and future research directions in the field.

Background: The diet of young people in Spain has changed significantly, with a departure from a balanced dietary pattern and a greater intake of processed foods. Such food generates an acidic environment in the mouth, which promotes the multiplication of bacteria capable of causing inflammation and damage to the gums. Aim: This study aimed to determine the association between the frequency of consuming processed foods and periodontal disease, as well as sex differences, in an adolescent population. Methods: A study was conducted on 233 students aged 15 to examine the frequency of food consumption and its correlation with periodontal disease. Differences were determined via a Student’s t-test to compare the means. A chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. The 95% confidence interval estimate was used in all cases (p < 0.05). Results: It was observed that girls have a higher mean number of healthy sextants than boys (3.26 $\pm$ 0.20 vs. 2.70 ± 0.21; p = 0.029). A statistically significant difference was noted between healthy and affected subjects in the frequency of consumption of packaged milkshakes (p = 0.003), industrial juices (p = 0.009), industrial pastries (p = 0.018), and fruits in syrup (p = 0.022). When segmented by sex, a statistically significant difference was noted in boys between healthy and affected subjects in the frequency of consumption of packaged milkshakes (p = 0.044), salty snacks (p = 0.032), and cold cuts (p = 0.033); in girls, the difference was detected in industrial juices (0.024). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that adolescent boys are more affected periodontally than girls. In both sexes, the level of consumption of processed foods affects the presence of periodontal disease.

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage during which lifestyle and dietary habits are established, influencing both general and oral health outcomes. Territorial disparities between rural and urban environments may contribute to nutritional inequalities and health vulnerabilities. The aim of this study was to analyze differences between rural and urban environments in terms of lifestyle behaviors, dietary patterns, and oral health outcomes among adolescents in Mallorca, Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 463 adolescents corresponding to the WHO index ages (12 and 15 years). Data were collected through questionnaires assessing dietary habits, oral hygiene behaviors and lifestyle characteristics. Clinical oral examinations were performed following the World Health Organization Pathfinder methodology. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and comparative analyses between rural and urban populations. Results: Urban adolescents reported higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods (p < 0.001), whereas rural adolescents showed higher weekly physical activity (4.45 ± 2.34 vs. 3.62 ± 2.41 h/week; p < 0.001). Caries prevalence was higher in rural students (45.0% vs. 28.6%; p < 0.001), who however demonstrated better periodontal indicators. Conclusions: Geographic environment is associated with differences in dietary patterns, physical activity levels, lifestyle behaviors, and oral health outcomes among adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of targeted public health interventions adapted to geographic context and support the role of broader social and environmental determinants in adolescent oral health.

Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by increased nutritional requirements and the establishment of dietary habits that may influence long-term health outcomes, including oral health. Dietary patterns with low nutrient density may contribute to inflammatory processes involved in periodontal disease. This study aimed to analyze the association between dietary intake and periodontal health status in a sample of adolescents from Mallorca, Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 156 adolescents, aged 15 years, attending secondary schools in Mallorca. Periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Pathfinder methodology. Dietary nutrient intake was evaluated using a single 24 h dietary recall conducted following the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations. Participants were classified as periodontally healthy or as having periodontal disease according to the presence of affected sextants. A binary logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed to evaluate the independent association between nutrient intake and periodontal disease. Results: Of the 156 adolescents included (81 girls and 75 boys), 46 were classified as periodontally healthy and 110 as having periodontal disease. No significant association was observed between sex and periodontal status (p = 0.695). Adolescents with healthy periodontal status had significantly higher intakes of dietary fiber (p = 0.011), magnesium (p = 0.018), selenium (p = 0.035), vitamin A (p = 0.018), and vitamin C (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Higher intakes of micronutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties appear to be associated with better periodontal health among adolescents. These findings suggest that promoting nutrient-dense dietary patterns during adolescence may help support periodontal health.