PURPOSE: To assess the association between low prenatal or childhood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and dental caries experience in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, B-On, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional studies published between 1998 and 2019; caries outcomes expressed as prevalence or based on the decayed missing and filled index for primary and permanent teeth/surfaces; and vitamin D levels assessed by laboratory analysis. Two authors independently selected studies, collected data, and assessed risk of bias. The quality of the studies was also assessed. A narrative synthesis of the studies was performed without quantitative pooling of data due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity. RESULTS: Out of 399 studies identified, 13 were included in the data synthesis. Even though many of the included studies had a cross-sectional design, 11 were considered high quality. The studies indicated that vitamin D has an important role in caries experience, but also revealed that vitamin D levels equal to or above 75 nmol/l seem to be more closely related to caries experience than the reference value of the Institute of Medicine. CONCLUSION: Evidence of an association exists between low 25(OH) D levels (<75 nmol/l) and caries experience in children. Hence, low vitamin D levels should be considered a potential factor associated with caries in children. Clinicians should be aware that good prenatal nutrition and early childhood diet might influence caries experience.
PURPOSE: To assess the association between low prenatal or childhood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and dental caries experience in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, B-On, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional studies published between 1998 and 2019; caries outcomes expressed as prevalence or based on the decayed missing and filled index for primary and permanent teeth/surfaces; and vitamin D levels assessed by laboratory analysis. Two authors independently selected studies, collected data, and assessed risk of bias. The quality of the studies was also assessed. A narrative synthesis of the studies was performed without quantitative pooling of data due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity. RESULTS: Out of 399 studies identified, 13 were included in the data synthesis. Even though many of the included studies had a cross-sectional design, 11 were considered high quality. The studies indicated that vitamin D has an important role in caries experience, but also revealed that vitamin D levels equal to or above 75 nmol/l seem to be more closely related to caries experience than the reference value of the Institute of Medicine. CONCLUSION: Evidence of an association exists between low 25(OH) D levels (<75 nmol/l) and caries experience in children. Hence, low vitamin D levels should be considered a potential factor associated with caries in children. Clinicians should be aware that good prenatal nutrition and early childhood diet might influence caries experience.
Entities:
Keywords:
25-hydroxyvitamin D; children; dental caries; preventive dentistry; vitamin D
Authors: Lena Cetrelli; Athanasia Bletsa; Anette Lundestad; Elisabet Grut Gil; Johannes Fischer; Josefine Halbig; Paula Frid; Oskar Angenete; Ingrid Lillevoll; Annika Rosén; Karin B Tylleskär; Keio Luukko; Ellen Nordal; Anne Nordrehaug Åstrøm; Marit Slåttelid Skeie; Astrid Jullumstrø Feuerherm; Abhijit Sen; Marite Rygg Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2022-08-08 Impact factor: 3.747