Authors: Ana-Lucia BLENDEA, Tudor MITASOV, Ioan GOTCA, Andreea GHERASIM

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently
associated with food selectivity and atypical eating
behaviors, which may lead not only to nutritional
imbalances but also to compromised oral health. Children
with ASD often exhibit restrictive dietary patterns,
consuming fewer fruits and vegetables and favoring
carbohydrate-rich, highly palatable foods. These habits
contribute to an increased risk of dental caries, periodontal
disease, and other oral health issues, involving limited
exposure to protective dietary factors such as fiber,
vitamins, and minerals.Sensory processing difficulties,
common in 60-70% of children with ASD, can exacerbate
food aversions based on texture, color, or smell, further
narrowing dietary variety. These behaviors are often
rooted in the core features of ASD, such as rigidity and
resistance to change, making dietary interventions
particularly challenging. Additionally, parental stress and
inconsistent dietary management may reduce adherence
to recommended nutritional and oral health strategies.
Although restrictive diets like gluten, and casein-free
protocols are widely used, robust evidence supporting
their efficacy remains limited. Meanwhile, emerging
research underscores the value of multidisciplinary
interventions that integrate behavioral therapy with
nutritional and dental counseling. Despite promising
outcomes, the absence of standardized protocols for
assessing and managing food selectivity continues to
hinder comprehensive care.This review highlights the
critical intersection between diet and oral health in children
with ASD and underscores the importance of tailored,
evidence-based nutritional and dental interventions to
improve long-term outcomes in this vulnerable population.

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