Personal habits and diet in relation to periodontal health and oral hygiene status in submariners. Rep. No. 528.

Some previous reports indicated that submarine crewmen eat abnormally high amounts of carbohydrates and that their diet habits include many between meal snacks. If true, these facts would lead one to expect great oral health problems in submariners; particularly in those on patrol for long periods. A detailed dietary and oral health study was done aboard the USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 623) to evaluate the problem. The findings essentially disprove the previously reported beliefs. It was found that the FBM crew ate an essentially well rounded diet with only a moderate amount of between meal snacking. PERSONAL HABITS AND DIET IN RELATION TO PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND ORAL HYGIENE STATUS IN SUBMARINERS