Can Vitamin D play a role in preventing cavities?

Current research is showing Vitamin D to be beneficial in preventing many diseases and for its crucial role in keeping us healthy. This study looked specifically at an area not frequently published about. Is vitamin D related to developing cavities in young children?

Studies have shown people with higher levels of vitamin D are protected from certain cancers and now it is shown to help prevent cavities. This study looked at over 250 preschool children in Canada and compared the vitamin D levels between those with severe cavities, enough to need dental surgery, and those with no cavities. The study showed that those without dental cavities were twice as likely to have optimal levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium absorption and the formation of bones and teeth. The lower levels of vitamin D will affect the strength and health of the teeth and the enamel which is supposed to be protecting them. Vitamin D also helps produce antimicrobial compounds in the mouth which contribute to good overall oral health. The problem of severe cavities can snowball out of control. The pain from the cavities will cause a child to not want to eat or to greatly limit the types of food they will eat. These self inflicted dietary restrictions can cause nutritional deficiencies which further negatively affect the teeth. After the findings from this study the authors recommend vitamin D levels be checked in all children with severe cavities.

Optimal vitamin D levels are shown to have many health benefits not just cavity prevention. So even in the absence of severe cavities making sure your vitamin D levels are adequate is important. We get vitamin D from two sources. In our foods, either naturally, like in liver or some fish, or in fortified foods such as milk or eggs. The other source is from the sun. Healthy sun exposure on our skin gives our bodies all the vitamin D we need. People in northern climates such as Canada or Alaska and even as far south as New England or the Pacific Northwest will typically have low levels of vitamin D due to the fact that the sun is not as strong and it is more difficult for their bodies to produce enough vitamin D. In fact vitamin D deficiency is becoming a significant problem across North America. In areas where you can get enough vitamin D from just being outside people avoid the sun concerned about skin cancer, even though optimal levels of vitamin D will protect you from skin cancer.

During winter when it is too cold to be outside for long periods with exposed skin most people should consider supplementing with vitamin D. If you are supplementing be sure to have your levels checked regularly as vitamin D is one of the supplements you can take too much of. And get outside! You can’t overdose on vitamin D by being out in the sun.

BMC Pediatrics 2013, 13:174

By Dr Scott Szela