Effects of vitamin D status on oral health

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2018 Jan:175:190-194. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.01.020. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

Normal humans of all ages have the innate ability to produce vitamin D following sunlight exposure. Inadequate vitamin D status has shown to be associated with a wide variety of diseases, including oral health disorders. Insufficient sunlight exposure may accelerate some of these diseases, possibly due to impaired vitamin D synthesis. The beneficial effects of vitamin D on oral health are not only limited to the direct effects on the tooth mineralization, but are also exerted through the anti-inflammatory functions and the ability to stimulate the production of anti-microbial peptides. In this article, we will briefly discuss the genesis of various oral diseases due to inadequate vitamin D level in the body and elucidate the potential benefits of safe sunlight exposure for the maintenance of oral and general health.

Keywords: Bone; Oral cavity; Sunlight; Supplements; Teeth; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Bone Loss / complications
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / metabolism*
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / pathology
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / prevention & control
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oral Health*
  • Periodontitis / complications
  • Periodontitis / metabolism*
  • Periodontitis / pathology
  • Periodontitis / prevention & control
  • Sunlight
  • Tooth / drug effects
  • Tooth / metabolism
  • Tooth / pathology
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diet therapy
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / pathology
  • alpha-Defensins / biosynthesis

Substances

  • alpha-Defensins
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Calcium