2026 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 395-400
Background: Nutritional deficiencies may contribute to chronic dental symptoms and impaired fun ctional status, and this perspective is clinically relevant in cases accompanied by social withdrawal from the standpoint of nutritional psychiatry.
Case: A 24-year-old woman presented with clicking during mouth opening and closing. She was 155 cm tall, with a tongue pressure of 18.4 kPa. Examination revealed indentations on the tongue and buccal mucosa, C1–C2 carious lesions in the molar region, and periodontal pockets of 4–5 m m with frequent bleeding on probing. Her diet consisted mainly of glass noodle soup and confecti onery, with minimal intake of meat, fish, or vegetables. She showed a reversed sleep–wake cycle and reduced social activity consistent with social withdrawal. Dietary counseling emphasizing a hig h-protein diet and restriction of energy drinks was provided. After 8 weeks, gingival bleeding decr eased, periodontal pockets improved to 2–3 mm, sleep rhythm normalized, and she resumed emplo yment.
Conclusion: Assessing dietary habits and life context based on temporomandibular and periodontal findings may contribute to improved functional outcomes.
