A new review of existing studies points toward a potential role for vitamin D in helping to prevent dental caries, or tooth decay.
The review, published in the December issue of Nutrition Reviews, encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials, spanning the 1920s to the 1980s, on approximately 3,000 children in several countries. These trials showed that vitamin D was associated with an approximately 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.
“My main goal was to summarise the clinical trial database so that we could take a fresh look at this vitamin D question,” said Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington, who conducted the review.
His research has also covered sugar substitutes, the use of antibiotics in the treatment of periodontal disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. He has also studied the link between dental disease and systemic disease, as well as trends in disease prevalence. The trials he reviewed increased vitamin D levels in children through the use of supplemental UV radiation or by supplementing the children's diet with codliver oil or other products containing the vitamin.
“Whether this is more than just a coincidence is open to debate,” Hujoel said. “In the meantime, pregnant women or young mothers can do little harm by realising that vitamin D is essential to their offspring's health. Vitamin D does lead to teeth and bones that are better mineralised.”
The review, published in the December issue of Nutrition Reviews, encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials, spanning the 1920s to the 1980s, on approximately 3,000 children in several countries. These trials showed that vitamin D was associated with an approximately 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.
“My main goal was to summarise the clinical trial database so that we could take a fresh look at this vitamin D question,” said Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington, who conducted the review.
His research has also covered sugar substitutes, the use of antibiotics in the treatment of periodontal disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. He has also studied the link between dental disease and systemic disease, as well as trends in disease prevalence. The trials he reviewed increased vitamin D levels in children through the use of supplemental UV radiation or by supplementing the children's diet with codliver oil or other products containing the vitamin.
“Whether this is more than just a coincidence is open to debate,” Hujoel said. “In the meantime, pregnant women or young mothers can do little harm by realising that vitamin D is essential to their offspring's health. Vitamin D does lead to teeth and bones that are better mineralised.”
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