Paediatric caries so far not connected to low vitamin D

Anisha Hall Hoppe, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 13. February 2024

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TRONDHEIM, Norway: A study conducted in Norway has provided valuable insights into the complex interplay between serum vitamin D levels and oral health conditions like dental caries and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in children. It is well established that vitamin D plays a vital role in bone mineralisation and that individuals in Nordic countries are at heightened risk of lower baseline vitamin D levels. While the direct associations were not conclusively established, the research underscores the importance of considering nutritional status as part of comprehensive oral healthcare and the need for further investigation in this area.

Previous research has found that 21% of Norwegian children aged 5 months to 18 years have “insufficient” vitamin D levels, and the current study sought to determine whether those levels—a seemingly easy fix in medicine with supplementation—have any association with paediatric oral health. In addition to the pivotal role of vitamin D in maintaining overall health and in bone and dental enamel development, vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties are crucial for oral health.

The research was conducted with a sample of 7- to 9-year-old children, examining the association of serum vitamin D levels with caries and MIH. The study’s methodology involved a cross-sectional analysis, integrating data from oral health examinations and blood sample analyses to assess vitamin D status.

Key findings from the study indicate a complex relationship between vitamin D levels and oral health conditions. While the study did not find a direct correlation between vitamin D sufficiency and a reduced prevalence of caries or MIH, it highlighted several important considerations. For instance, the study discussed the potential impact of vitamin D on enamel mineralisation and its role in the immune response to oral pathogens.

The research also considered various factors that could have influenced the study’s findings, such as the homogeneity of the sample population, which predominantly consisted of children of normal body weight and from non-immigrant backgrounds. This demographic characteristic might have contributed to the relatively high average vitamin D status among the participants, potentially affecting the study’s findings. Additionally, the timing of serum vitamin D assessment in relation to the eruption and mineralisation of MIH-affected teeth was discussed as a factor that could have influenced the study’s conclusions.

The study authors emphasised the need for future research to include a more diverse sample population, particularly those at higher risk of developing caries and vitamin D deficiency. Such studies could provide more definitive insights into the relationship between vitamin D status and oral health outcomes in children.

The study, titled “The association between serum vitamin D status and dental caries or molar incisor hypomineralisation in 7-9-year-old Norwegian children: A cross-sectional study”, was published on 22 January 2024 in BMC Public Health.