A new review of existing studies points toward a potential role
for vitamin D in helping to prevent dental caries, or tooth
decay. The review, published in the December issue of Nutrition
Reviews, encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials, spanning the
1920s to the 1980s, on approximately 3,000 children in several
countries. These trials showed that vitamin D was associated
with an approximately 50 percent reduction in the incidence of
tooth decay. “My main goal was to summarize the clinical trial
database so that we could take a fresh look at this vitamin D
question,” said Dr. Philippe Hujoel of the University of
Washington, who conducted the review. While vitamin D’s role in
supporting bone health has not been disputed, significant
disagreement has historically existed over its role in
preventing caries, Hujoel noted. The American Medical
Association and the U.S. National Research Council concluded
around 1950 that vitamin D was beneficial in managing dental
caries. The American Dental Association said othe