Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

health’. In addition, articles were also identified by examining reference lists <strong>of</strong> several
publications.
In 1934, May Mellanby theorized that immunity to caries might also be due to the
vitamin D attainment, from both endogenous and exogenous sources. 36 Her work led to
the theory that vitamin D was not only essential for the normal development and
calcification <strong>of</strong> enamel and dentin, but was also responsible for the accretion <strong>of</strong>
secondary dentin after tooth eruption. 37
The vast majority <strong>of</strong> the literature on the
influence <strong>of</strong> vitamin D on oral health has remained relatively ignored as much <strong>of</strong> it dates
to the first half <strong>of</strong> the twentieth century.
This review examines the literature relating to several oral health conditions and
vitamin D including periodontal disease, tooth loss, and alveolar bone health although
these additional oral health conditions are unrelated to this thesis. The remainder <strong>of</strong> this
chapter focuses on vitamin D and its influence in dental development, enamel hypoplasia,
and caries.
Periodontal Diseases: Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Several publications have reported on the relationship between vitamin D and periodontal
health. For instance, case report evidence suggests that individuals with vitamin D
dependent rickets (VDDR) may suffer from generalized gingivitis and chronic
periodontal disease. 38
In addition, Hildebolt’s (2005) recent review on the effect <strong>of</strong>
vitamin D and calcium on periodontitis highlights many important clinical studies in this
field. 39 Overall, it is believed that vitamin D reduces the risk for periodontitis through the
stimulation <strong>of</strong> LL-37, cathelicidin, by 1,25(OH) 2 D, which enhances immunity and has an
antimicrobial effect. 40,41 1.3-6