ArticleNutrients2024
The Association of Vitamin D Levels and Dental Caries in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Nutrients, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- The relationship between nutrition, diet, and early childhood caries: A cross-sectional study using 2009 to 2014 NHANES data.Medicine · 2026Article
- Associations Between Single and Multiple Vitamins and the Risk of Dental Caries: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study and Mendelian Randomisation Analysis.Oral health & preventive dentistry · 2025Article
- Vitamin D - a forgotten preventive agent against caries? A narrative review.Clinical oral investigations · 2025Review
- Fracture Risk Associated With Dimethyl Fumarate Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Population Heterogeneity and Temporal Patterns.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2025Article
- Caries status influence GCF MMP-9 in association with serum vitamin D: an exploratory retrospective cross-sectional study.BMC oral health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
introductionMost research examining vitamin D and dental caries focuses on children and younger adults. This study investigated the association between vitamin D levels and dental caries in older adults using data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2016.
methodsData were analyzed from 2723 participants aged 65 years and older who completed both dental examinations and serum 25(OH)D tests. Dental caries assessments included the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and the presence of untreated dental caries. Vitamin D levels were measured as serum 25(OH)D concentrations and categorized as severely deficient (<25 nmol/L), deficient (25-49.9 nmol/L), insufficient (50-74.9 nmol/L), and normal (≥75 nmol/L). Logistic regression and Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between vitamin D levels and dental caries, adjusting for demographic factors.
resultsThe mean DMFT score was 17.73 ± 8.34, with 35.1% of participants having untreated dental caries. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a 1.44 times higher likelihood of untreated caries (95% CI: 1.15, 1.81), which weakened after adjustment for demographic factors (adjusted OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.55). Severe vitamin D deficiency correlated with a 1.13 times higher DMFT score (95% CI: 1.06, 1.20), with the association remaining similar after adjustment (adjusted RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.20). Significant differences in vitamin D levels were observed across gender, race/ethnicity, and country of birth.
conclusionsThis study suggests the potential importance of adequate vitamin D levels for maintaining dental health among older adults. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of poorer DMFT scores. Public health strategies that include vitamin D screening and supplementation, particularly for high-risk groups, may improve oral health outcomes in the older adult population. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which vitamin D influences dental health and the potential for vitamin D supplementation to reduce the burden of dental caries in older adults.
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