Vitamin D and its impact on oral health--an update

J Tenn Dent Assoc. 2011 Spring;91(2):30-3; quiz 34-5.

Abstract

Vitamin D has been shown to regulate musculoskeletal health by mediating calcium absorption and mineral homeostasis. Evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency may place subjects at risk for not only low mineral bone density/osteoporosis and osteopenia but also infectious and chronic inflammatory diseases. Studies have shown an association between alveolar bone density, osteoporosis and tooth loss and suggest that low bone mass may be a risk factor for periodontal disease. Several recent reports demonstrate a significant association between periodontal health and the intake of vitamin D. An emerging hypothesis is that vitamin D may be beneficial for oral health, not only for its direct effect on bone metabolism but also due to its ability to function as an anti-inflammatory agent and stimulate the production of anti-microbial peptides.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / biosynthesis
  • Bone Remodeling
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Oral Health*
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteopontin / biosynthesis
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy
  • Osteoprotegerin / metabolism
  • Periodontal Diseases / drug therapy
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism
  • Rickets / drug therapy
  • Vitamin D* / metabolism
  • Vitamin D* / physiology
  • Vitamin D* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • RANK Ligand
  • Osteopontin
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium