Vitamin D is crucial for a wide variety of organ systems; nevertheless, its deficiency is highly prevalent, present in 30-50% of the general population. 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. Through its effect on bone and mineral metabolism, innate immunity, and several vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, vitamin D has been reported to be associated with the periodontal disease.
Keywords: Mineral bone density; periodontal disease; vitamin D; vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism.