Gum disease and vitamin D

Gingival Inflammation

It’s Dj vu (with a capital “D”) all over again.

In a recent e-Alert I noted that we’ve been hearing a lot about vitamin D lately. And as it happens I’ve also recently sent you two e-Alerts about the prevention of periodontitis (gum disease). Now these two topics have come together in a new study from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University (BU).

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and the precursor of periodontitis. The BU researchers conducted a trial to find what association vitamin D might have with gingival inflammation.

Using information from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), researchers assessed dental records along with blood sample data that revealed vitamin D levels in 6,700 subjects. Those with the highest D levels were 20 percent less likely to have gingival inflammation compared to subjects with the lowest D levels.

The combined results of these three periodontitis studies show that high levels of vitamins C and D help prevent gum disease, especially in non-smokers who also exercise.

Sources:
“Association Between Serum Concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Gingival Inflammation” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 3, September 2005, ajcn.org