Vitamin and mineral supplements: what is the dentist to do?
BACKGROUND
Vitamins and minerals are essential for systemic and oral health and the prevention of nutrient deficiencies. The author reviews recommendations for their use, consumer intake patterns and considerations for dental practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin and mineral supplements are designed to treat and prevent deficiency syndromes and promote health. Consumers frequently misuse them, as they are guided by the belief that these supplements will prevent diseases and cure symptoms. Scientific evidence demonstrates their limited usefulness in systemic disease prevention or treatment. The author reviews demonstrated benefits in select diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Being familiar with the appropriate uses of vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as nutrient-supplement and drug-supplement interactions, will give dental professionals the knowledge to question and advise patients using evidence-based resources.
Touger-Decker
Riva
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Graduate Programs in Clinical Nutrition, School of Health-related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07107, USA. decker@umdnj.edu
D003729:Dental Care; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012651:Self Medication; D014481:United States; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*