Dental health improved with more than 800 IU of vitamin D

Vitamin D and Periodontal Health in Older Men

Journal of Dental Research June 20, 2013

E.N. Alshouibi1,2

E.K. Kaye2,3, kralle@bu.edu

H.J. Cabral4

C.W. Leone5

R.I. Garcia2,3

1Department of Preventive Sciences, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

3VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA

4Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

5Department of Periodontology & Oral Biology, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory mediator, has potential benefits for physical and oral health. Although it is produced endogenously, some individuals have a greater need for dietary and supplemental sources. This repeated-measures cross-sectional study assessed associations between total vitamin D intake and periodontal health in older men.

Participants were 562 members of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study, mean age 62.9 years, who were examined 1 to 4 times between 1986 and 1998. A calibrated examiner measured probing pocket depth (PPD) and attachment loss (AL) on each tooth. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) was determined from radiographs. Severe periodontal disease was defined as PPD ≥ 5 mm on ≥ 1 tooth and AL ≥ 6 mm at ≥ 2 sites (not on same tooth), and moderate-to-severe alveolar bone loss as ABL ≥ 40% at ≥ 3 sites. Generalized estimating equations were used to compute the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of having periodontal disease by level of vitamin D intake.

Total vitamin D intake ≥ 800 IU was associated with lower odds of severe periodontal disease (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55-0.81) and moderate-to-severe ABL (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30-0.96) relative to intake < 400 IU/day. Vitamin D intake may protect against periodontal disease progression.

See also VitaminDWiki

• Vitamin D and Periodontal Disease – continuing education March 2012

• 800 IU vitamin D helped periodontal surgery – May 2011

• All items in category Dental and Vitamin D items

• Dental caries cut in half by vitamin D, review of 24 old clinical trials – Nov 2012

• Severe tooth decay in children unless supplemented with Vitamin D drops – Oct 2013

  Intervention AND Dental

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