Vitamin D May Prevent Cavities

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A new review of existing research published in the journal Nutrition Reviews is showing a strong correlation between vitamin D intake and a reduction in cavities. In fact, the review of clinical trials showed a fifty percent decrease!

Vitamin D has long been known as an important substance in supporting bone health, but its role in cavity reduction has been disputed for more than half a century. In fact, current reviews by the Institute of Medicine, the U.S. Department of Human Health and Service and the American Dental Association draw no conclusions on the vitamin D evidence as it relates to dental caries.

“Such inconsistent conclusions by different organizations do not make much sense from an evidence-based perspective,” said Dr. Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington, who lead the review. “My main goal was to summarize the clinical trial database so that we could take a fresh look at this vitamin D question.”

Hujoel’s findings come as no surprise to researchers familiar with past vitamin D studies. According to Dr. Michael Hollick, professor of medicine at the Boston University Medical Center, “the findings from the University of Washington reaffirm the importance of vitamin D for dental health.” He said that “children who are vitamin D deficient have poor and delayed teeth eruption and are prone to dental caries.”

Vitamin D is the latest dietary supplement to come to light as an inexpensive and potentially life-saving substance when used correctly as a preventative. It is being linked to not just a reduction in dental carries, but also to improvements in other areas of health, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological conditions, endocrine diseases, and autoimmune disorders.

Whether or not sufficient vitamin D levels can prevent carries is especially important at this point in time, as UV exposure, and therefore Vitamin D absorption, is decreasing, while incidences of dental caries in young children are increasing.

“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 realizing that vitamin D is essential to their offspring’s health. Vitamin D does lead to teeth and bones that are better mineralized.”