DENTAL ENCYLOPEDIA

Educate yourself on variety of dental topics.

Nutritional Deficiencies and the Oral Cavity:

Nutritional deficiencies are commonly seen in the developing world, however these are rare elsewhere. Those potentially affected in the West are the elderly and alcoholics and individuals living on grossly unbalanced diet, or individuals with malabsorption.

Vitamin A Deficiency:

Treatment of keratotic plaques (leukoplakias) with retinoids or vitamin A derivatives has shown some success, however it has been short lived. This is mainly due to severe toxicity and cancer causing potential of retinoids. Epidemiological studies suggest correlation between low vitamin A intake and oral and other cancers.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Deficiency:

Vitamin B2 deficiency can result in angular cheilitis, consisting of red, painful fissures at the angles of the mouth, and shiny redness of the mucous membranes. The tongue is commonly sore and red. The gingivae are not affected. The disorder clears up within days after vitamin B2 administration. Riboflavin is ineffective for the commonly seen cases of glossitis and angular stomatitis, which are rarely due to vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin B3 Deficiency (Nicotinamide)

Deficiencies in vitamin D3 usually result due to malabsorption, or alcoholism. Pellagra, which affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system can be commonly seen with these deficiencies. Orally, the tip and lateral margins of the tongue become red, swollen, and deeply ulcerated in severe cases. The dorsum of the tongue becomes coated with a thick, grayish fur, which is often heavily infected. The margin of the gingival also becomes red, swollen and ulcerated, and subsequently generalized stomatitis may develop.

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Deficiency:

Mouth ulcers, glossitis, or angular cheilitis may result from deficiency of there vitamins.

Vitamin C Deficiency:

Scurvy is very rare in the developed world. In advanced cases, swollen bleeding gums may develop. There is no evidence that deficiency of vitamin C plays any part in periodontal disease except in frank scurvy, and there is no reason for giving ascorbic acid to healthy patients with periodontal disease.

Vitamin D Deficiency:

Rickets occurs with vitamin D deficiency during bone development. However, there is no basis for the idea that dental caries occurs due to poor calcification of teeth. Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D doesn¹t prevent one from getting cavities.

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