Oral manifestations of magnesium and vitamin D inadequacy
Anne Marie Uwitonze The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 200, June 2020, 105636
Highlights
• Magnesium deficiency is common among adults and elderly populations.
• Under-consumption of magnesium is widespread in the USA and beyond.
• Magnesium deficiency is associated with numerous chronic oral diseases.
• Optimal intake of magnesium is essential for good oral health.
Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining good oral health. Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus found in the diet constitute the main structural components of the tooth. Their inadequacy leads to absorption impairment, increased bleeding tendency, bone resorption, looseness, and premature tooth loss.
Inadequacy of those essential minerals is associated with delayed tooth eruption and with enamel or dentin hypoplasia. Taking calcium without magnesium results in soft dental enamel, which cannot resist the acids causing tooth decay.
In addition to magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, adequate vitamin D is needed to maintain optimal oral health. Vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory effects and helps in calcium absorption and bone remodeling. Moreover, adequate vitamin D status could reduce formation of dental caries by delaying its onset and progression. Here we summarize the oral manifestations of vitamin D and magnesium inadequacy.
