Study Links Vitamin D and Periodontal Health in Older Men

Study Links Vitamin D and Periodontal Health in Older Men

A new study, “Vitamin D and Periodontal Health in Older Men,” published in the July issue of Journal of Dental Research, suggests that increased consumption of vitamin D may offer oral health benefits to older men. Because the endogenous production of vitamin D through exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays has significantly decreased as more individuals limit their sun exposure due to skin cancer risk, this study examined the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and periodontal health. Researchers found that increased vitamin D intake corresponds to improved oral health—and may even protect against the progression of periodontitis.

Vital to bone growth, vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and reduces inflammation. In light of existing evidence supporting an association between vitamin D and periodontal health, this study aimed to determine the level of vitamin D intake that led to markedly improved oral health. The markers used to assess oral health in the cross-sectional study were alveolar bone loss, pocket depth, and attachment loss.

The study followed 562 healthy men with a median age of 62 (95% of whom were nondiabetic, and 85% of whom were nonsmokers) as part of the “Veteran’s Administration Longitudinal Study.” Each had received routine, private-sector dental exams for 12 years (between 1986 and 1998). Participants underwent a comprehensive periodontal exam that was used as the baseline for analysis. Initial measurements revealed mean vitamin D intake at 332 IU/day, and the researchers identified severe periodontitis in 16% of the subjects.

A follow-up on these subjects revealed that vitamin D supplement users tended to present with less periodontal diseases than those who did not take supplements. Men who ingested more than 800 IU/day of vitamin D had a reduced risk of periodontal disease compared to those who consumed less than 400 IU/day. The authors concluded that adherence to the daily recommended vitamin D intake of 800 IU/day may improve oral health and guard against progression of periodontal diseases.

Additional research is necessary, and the authors note that studies can be improved by including a broader population (in terms of age, sex, and race), as well as a more comprehensive assessment of total vitamin D intake—not only by supplementation, but also by measurement of sun exposure and diet.