Nutraceuticals in Periodontal Health: A Systematic Review on the Role of Vitamins in Periodontal Health Maintenance

Abstract

Periodontal disease, a relevant public health problem worldwide, is generally considered a common pathology of elderly people. In this respect, there is agreement about that nutritional status may be a modifying factor in the progression and healing of the periodontal tissues. Vitamins have been recommended as nutraceuticals for prevention and treatment of some pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity or cancer. Thus, a systematic approach to determining how the different vitamin type could ameliorate periodontal risks or improve periodontal health is necessary to further the understanding of the potential benefits and risks of vitamins supplementation use. For this, a systematic review of English-written literature in PubMed until February 2018, which included both human and animal research on the relationship of each vitamin with periodontal disease, was conducted. Among all the analyzed vitamins those with antioxidant capacity and effects on immune system seem to be useful for prevention or improvement of periodontal disease, as well as those implicated in bone metabolism. In the first case, there are quite information in favor of various vitamins, mainly vitamin C, that is the most studied. In the second case, vitamin D seems to have the most relevant role.

Relationship between Vitamin C and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review

“…Literature review articles addressing the association of periodontitis with various nutrients, including vitamin C have been published [44][45][46]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that overviews findings and critically appraise the quality of studies addressing the relationship between vitamin C and periodontal disease.…”

Possible Involvement of Vitamin C in Periodontal Disease-Diabetes Mellitus Association

“…PD is caused by specific oral microorganisms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans [6][7][8], inducing loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, also representing the primary cause of tooth loss [9]. Periodontal impairment is influenced by many risk factors, including alcohol, stress, smoking, heredity, DM and endocrinological changes (pregnancy or menopause); thus, maintaining periodontal health becomes a real challenge [10]. The human oral microbiome is important in the pathogenesis of PD, nutrition being a significant aspect in promoting periodontal homeostasis through antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects on bone metabolism [10][11][12].…”

“…Periodontal impairment is influenced by many risk factors, including alcohol, stress, smoking, heredity, DM and endocrinological changes (pregnancy or menopause); thus, maintaining periodontal health becomes a real challenge [10]. The human oral microbiome is important in the pathogenesis of PD, nutrition being a significant aspect in promoting periodontal homeostasis through antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects on bone metabolism [10][11][12].…”

Poor diet predicts periodontal disease development in 11‐year follow‐up study

“…2,3 Recently, it has been suggested that diet plays a role in maintaining periodontal health. 4,5 Recent studies suggest that low intake of some nutrients, such as vitamins, [6][7][8] omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, [9][10][11] antioxidants, 12 other micronutrients, 6,8 dietary fibre, 13 high intake of saturated fats, 14 and added sugars, 15 is associated with poor periodontal condition. In addition to single foods or nutrients, nutritional research has recently focused also on the whole diet.…”