Effects of vitamin D status on oral health.
Normal humans of all ages have the innate ability to produce vitamin D following sunlight exposure. Inadequate vitamin D status has shown to be associated with a wide variety of diseases, including oral health disorders. Insufficient sunlight exposure may accelerate some of these diseases, possibly due to impaired vitamin D synthesis. The beneficial effects of vitamin D on oral health are not only limited to the direct effects on the tooth mineralization, but are also exerted through the anti-inflammatory functions and the ability to stimulate the production of anti-microbial peptides. In this article, we will briefly discuss the genesis of various oral diseases due to inadequate vitamin D level in the body and elucidate the potential benefits of safe sunlight exposure for the maintenance of oral and general health.
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Anne Marie
AM
Uwitonze
Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Oral Pathology, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Julienne
J
Murererehe
Department of Restorative & Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Marie Claire
MC
Ineza
Department of Restorative & Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Eliane Ingabire
EI
Harelimana
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Usiel
U
Nsabimana
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Peace
P
Uwambaye
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda.
Agnes
A
Gatarayiha
Research & Development, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Afrozul
A
Haq
Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Kigali, Rwanda; Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Oral Health Policy & Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: mrazzaque@forsyth.org.
Mohammed S
MS
Razzaque
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight; D014070:Tooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D023084:alpha-Defensins; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D002118:Calcium
Bone; Oral cavity; Sunlight; Supplements; Teeth; Vitamin D