DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2022.v09i07.003

Pages: 155-161

Severe vitamin D deficiency may cause rickets in infants or children, though it is now uncommon in developed countries. However, subclinical vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent, and it is associated with osteoporosis and higher incidence of falls or fractures. Since vitamin D receptors are present all over the body, insufficient vitamin D status may correlate with several extra-skeletal effects, such as immune dysfunction. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with a wide variety of oral health disorders, and impaired VD synthesis may expedite some of these conditions. In children, severe VDD can induce defective tooth mineralization, resulting in dentin and enamel defects. As a consequence, these defects may increase the risk of the onset and progression of dental caries. Further, VDD has been associated with higher prevalence of periodontitis and gingival inflammation.