To Reduce Gum Disease Risk, Get Your Vitamins

To Reduce Gum Disease Risk, Get Your Vitamins


February 7, 2012

By Nancy Volkers

InteliHealth News Service
INTELIHEALTH - One more reason to get your vitamins: They may help to prevent periodontal disease.

Japanese researchers found that older people with low blood levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were more likely to have periodontal disease.
The study included 224 older adults. It lasted from 1999 to 2007. Each year, people had a periodontal exam. They also had blood tests. The researchers tested for levels of vitamins C and E.
The researchers divided the people into three groups according to blood levels of vitamin C. Those with blood levels in the lowest third had a 30% increased risk of periodontal disease, compared with those with levels in the highest third. Those in the middle third had a 12% increased risk.

The researchers also divided the people into three groups based on blood levels of vitamin E. In this case, those with the lowest levels had a 15% increased risk of periodontal disease, compared with those in the highest third. Those in the middle third did not have an increased risk.
Vitamins C and E are known as antioxidants. They can protect cells against damage. Low levels of antioxidants have been linked with risk for many diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
Vitamin C also has a historic link with gum health. Severe deficiency of vitamin C causes scurvy. This was a deadly disease among sailors for centuries. One symptom of scurvy was spongy gums.

The Japanese study appears in the February issue of the Journal of Dental Research.