Vitamins and Oral Health - Here is what you should know
Vitamins - Must know facts on its role in oral health
What are Vitamins ?
Vitamins are organic compounds required in small quantity for normal metabolism and also to maintain oral health exclusively. Vitamin A, D, C, B in specific plays a vital role in oral health maintenance.
Vitamin A and oral health
It is not available in foods of vegetable origin but the provitamin required for its formation is available. It has role in development of cells of teeth. Deficiency leads to condition called enamel hypoplasia. It's required to maintain normal teeth spacing.
Vitamin C and oral health
It is available abundantly in food stuffs such as citrus fruits etc. It cannot be synthesised in human body. Plays a key role in maintaining gum health, normal wound healing process, bone formation, absorption of iron in the body etc. Deficiency leads to condition called as Scurvy manifested by spongy sore gums, loose teeth, anemia, decreased immunocompetence and delayed wound healing.
Vitamin D and oral health
It is synthesised in skin cells and it's active form is processed in kidneys. It has direct relationship with the calcium available in the body and helps to form the hard tissues of the teeth. Balanced availability of Vitamin D is important in pregnant woman as it has an impact on the growing foetus. It has relationship with the teeth formation stages during the intra-uterine life of the foetus.
Vitamin B and oral health
They are a group of Vitamins called B-complex vitamins. It's deficiency leads to manifestations in the tongue. Tongue can appear flabby red and edematous, painful stomatitis leading to diminished food intake, fan-like fissures in corners of the lips, painful tongue i.e. glossitis and glossopyrosis. All of this leading to difficulty in eating and paving a road for multiple other problems.
Importance of Vitamins before conception
Vitamins have a major role to play with the development of future embryo, influence on dental tissue formation , growth of the jaws, skull and facial development
Diet and Vitamins
- Fish, Fish lover oils, egg yolk are rich source of Vitamin D
- Vegetable oil, cotton seed oil, peanut oil, meat, milk, butter and eggs provides Vitamin E
- Cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables provides the much essential Vitamin K to the body
- Citrus fruits abundantly consist of Vitamin C
- Cereals, pulses, nuts, milk, eggs, corn, yeast and whole grains provide Vitamin B to the body
Take home message
It's important to figure out warning signs in the body as mentioned above and realise vitamin deficiency status. Vitamins are available in multiple forms. Some of them are available in various food forms where others are synthesised in the body under conducive conditions. The mode of treating the deficiency depends on the severity of the condition. It can be measured through various blood tests. Therefore it's vital to have a check on correct vitamin intake in the diet and maintain overall health.
This content is intended for educational and social awareness purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your dentist or doctor for personalized guidance.
