Vitamin Deficiency and effects in Oral Cavity

- Certain vitamin deficiencies can have serious effects on your mouth and teeth.
- If your mouth is sore or your gums are bleeding, you might not be able to eat well. This can make any vitamin deficiencies worse.

- Seniors are more likely to have vitamin deficiencies because they may have problems absorbing nutrients from food.
- Younger people can also have conditions that cause difficulties absorbing nutrients.
- The physician can determine whether patient have a vitamin deficiency and how it should be treated.
- While dentist can identify oral abnormalities and determine whether a vitamin deficiency is the cause.

Here are some vitamin deficiencies that might affect your mouth and teeth.

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Vitamin B
Vitamin B deficiencies are one of the most common deficiencies that can affect mouth and teeth.

Signs and Symptoms:
- Burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue (Most common oral effects).
- Difficulty in swallowing. The tongue may feel swollen.
- The tissue of the inner cheeks can be pale and may break apart easily and slough off.
- B-vitamin deficiencies also can lead to anemia (too few red blood cells).
- Severe B12 deficiency can cause neurological problems such as numb or tingling limbs.
- Folic Acid deficiency also can make your mouth feel like it's burning.and numb or tingling limbs.
- Folic acid is crucial to fetal development as well. Not having enough of this vitamin during early pregnancy can increase the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects. These are defects of the brain, spinal cord or both.

Risks:
- Angular Cheilitis:
A painful inflammation and cracking in the corners of the mouth. It usually is related to a fungal infection.
- Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis:
Also known as recurring canker sores. Anemia, which can occur because of vitamin B deficiency, can increase your risk of these sores.
- Chronic Oral Mucosal Candidiasis:
A fungal infection in the mouth, caused by the Candida albicans fungus that is found naturally in the mouth. It does not normally cause problems. However, poor nutrition or poor absorption of vitamins drop down host immunity and tend to change the oral flora.
- Atrophic Glossitis:
A condition that causes the taste buds to break down, making the tongue look "bald." This condition affects the sense of taste. It can occur with a severe vitamin deficiency.

Sources of Vitamins B:
- Thiamin (B1): Pork, whole and enriched grains, legumes, nuts, dried beans
- Riboflavin (B2): Milk and milk products, eggs, liver, almonds, shellfish
- Niacin (B3): Protein-rich foods, meat, liver, poultry, fish, whole grains, peanuts
- Pyroxidine (Vitamin B6): Meat, poultry, fish, leafy green vegetables, bananas, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits
- Cobalamin (B12): Fish, meat, poultry, milk and milk products, eggs, fortified cereals
- Folic acid (also called folate): Leafy green vegetables, orange juice, legumes, broccoli, asparagus, fortified cereals, nuts

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Iron:

Signs and Symptoms:
- Burning sensation in the mouth and tongue
- Fungal infections in the mouth
- Tongue redness and swelling
- Sores and pale tissue in the mouth
- Iron deficiency can be caused by a poor diet or by intestinal problems that reduce iron absorption. It also can result from regular blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual periods or internal bleeding.
- Iron deficiency can cause anemia.

Sources of Iron:
- Lean meat
- Leafy green vegetables
- Beans
- Shellfish
- Whole-grain bread

N.B: People with significant iron deficiency may have to take iron supplements.

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Vitamin C
- Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid.
- This vitamin is needed to make collagen, the main building block for many tissues.

Signs and Symptoms:
- Gingivitis.
- Fatigue and easy Bruising.

Sources of Vitamin C:
- Citrus fruits
- Dark green vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Cantaloupe

N.B: Smoking depletes vitamin C in the body, so smokers need extra amounts of this vitamin.

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Vitamin A:
Vitamin A helps skin cells grow and maintain themselves.

Signs and Symptoms:
- Delayed healing in the mouth.

Sources of Vitamin A:
- Fortified milk
- Liver (chicken, beef)
- Leafy green vegetables
- Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables (such as apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots)

N.B: Vitamin A can be stored in body fat, so high-dose supplements are not recommended.
They can cause side effects such as joint pain, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting and liver damage.

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Vitamin D
Vitamin D works with calcium to maintain bone quality and strength.

Signs and Symptoms:
- Brittle Bones.
- Increase the risks of jaw fracture.
- Increase the risks of periodontal disease.
- A deficiency early in life could affect the formation of teeth.

N.B:
- Sometimes people with kidney disease also have vitamin D deficiency.
- The body will make its own vitamin D if it is exposed to sunlight for several minutes two or three times a week.

Sources of Vitamin D:
- Fish liver oils and fish
- Fortified milk and milk products
- Egg yolk
- Some cereals

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Vitamin K
- Normally, vitamin K is made by bacteria in your intestines.
- Vitamin K helps to make proteins that allow the blood to clot.

Signs and Symptoms:
- Easy bruising.
- Slow healing
- Excessive bleeding after extracted
- Excessive bleeding after scaling.

Sources of Vitamin K:
- Brussels sprouts
- Green leafy vegetables
- Broccoli
- Eggs
- Beef

N.B: A vitamin K deficiency may be caused by liver disease, long-term antibiotic use or other disease(s).

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This Article has been Edited By :: World Of Dentistry :: TEAM
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:: World Of Dentistry :: TEAM