Vitamin C, oral scurvy and periodontal disease

Abstract

Scurvy and periodontitis both manifest gingival bleeding but constitute separate entities. Defective collagen in scurvy reflects many symptoms emanating from deficient vitamin C physiology. The various periodontal diseases are caused by oral plaque micro-organisms, the body's reaction to which is strongly influenced by inadequate functioning of leucocytes and monocytes. Although certain infections and systemic diseases cause gingival bleeding, avitaminosis C does not cause commonly encountered periodontal disease, but will aggravate established periodontitis. Vitamin C should not be used for prophylaxis or cure of periodontitis in healthy well-nourished individuals. A patient with bleeding gingivae warrants referral to oral medicine and periodontics specialists for examination and treatment.