Low levels of vitamin D in the mother during pregnancy may affect the initial calcification of the teeth and lead to damage to the tooth enamel - a result that may be a risk factor for tooth decay in childhood
Researchers from the University of Manitoba (Manitoba) recently presented the results of a study conducted to determine the levels of vitamin D in the pregnant mother, the extent of amyl damage, the incidence of tooth decay in their babies and the relationship of all of these to prenatal vitamin D levels.
206 pregnant women in the second trimester participated in the study. Only 21 women (10.5%) had sufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin concentrations were related to the prevalence of milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use. The researchers examined 135 infants (55.6% of them girls) aged 16.1 ± 7.4 months and found that 21.6% of them had damage to the tooth enamel, while 33.6% of them had tooth decay.
Mothers of children with enamel damage had, on average, lower vitamin D concentrations, but not significantly, during delivery compared to mothers of children without enamel damage. Conversely, mothers of children with tooth decay had significantly lower vitamin D concentrations compared to mothers of children without decay. Children with enamel damage were significantly more likely to develop tooth decay.
This is the first study to show that the vitamin D levels of the pregnant mother can affect the first teeth and the development of tooth decay during childhood.
