title: Vitamin C, oral scurvy and periodontal disease.
abstract: Scurvy and periodontitis both manifest gingival bleeding but constitute separate entities. Defective collagen in scurvy reflects many symptoms emanating from deficient vitamin C physiology. The various periodontal diseases are caused by oral plaque micro-organisms, the body's reaction to which is strongly influenced by inadequate functioning of leucocytes and monocytes. Although certain infections and systemic diseases cause gingival bleeding, avitaminosis C does not cause commonly encountered periodontal disease, but will aggravate established periodontitis. Vitamin C should not be used for prophylaxis or cure of periodontitis in healthy well-nourished individuals. A patient with bleeding gingivae warrants referral to oral medicine and periodontics specialists for examination and treatment.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012614:Scurvy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid