Lack of Vitamin D Associated With Dental Cavities in Older Adults: Study

Older adults deficient in vitamin D have a 44 percent increased risk of having untreated dental cavities, according to a new study. The study, published in Nutrients, suggests “the potential importance of adequate vitamin D levels for maintaining dental health among older adults,” according to the authors. Researchers from the University of Utah, the College of Dental Medicine in South Jordan, Utah, and the Institute on Aging in Portland analyzed data from more than 2,700 participants ages 65 and older. The data included information from responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Around half of the older adults were deficient in vitamin D, the researchers found. They theorized that vitamin D helps the body absorb the calcium and phosphorus needed to build tooth enamel, teeth’s natural defense against harmful bacteria. Additionally, older teeth have less water content, potentially making them more brittle....