Title: How does stress affect caries risk factors in adolescents? -with a special focus on diet and oral hygiene. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how risk factors for caries are affected by stress in adolescents with a focus on diet and oral hygiene. Method: The study design included was a literature review that synthesizes the results of previous research in the selected area. The searches were conducted in the databases CINAHL DOSS, and MEDLINE. Relevant keywords, inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were applied to narrow the sample. A selection process of articles was performed to ensure a systematic presentation of the sample. All research articles were reviewed according to quality by a quality assessment template for studies with quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: The results of this literature review were based on a compilation of a total of ten scientific articles, which showed that adolescents who experience stress have a greater risk of caries. Stress can influence caries risk factors in adolescents through behaviors such as excessive intake of unhealthy food habits, such as soft drinks, fatty fast food, sweet snacks, avoiding main meals and poor oral hygiene. Conclusion: Studies have shown that behavioral patterns of stressed adolescents are altered by less good dietary and oral hygiene habits compared to adolescents who do not experience stress. Conclusion: Studies have shown that behavioral patterns of stressed adolescents are altered by less good dietary and oral hygiene habits compared to adolescents who do not experience stress. 

Keywords: Oral health, oral ill health, mental health, stress and adolescents.