Vitamin D deficiency may lead to delayed eruption of primary teeth: Study

There are several factors which influence the eruption of permanent as well as primary teeth into the oral cavity which include both local and systemic factors. In some cases, delayed tooth eruption could be the first and foremost manifestation of local or systemic disease.

There is a vast literature on the genetic, endocrine disturbances, and nutritional deficiencies such as protein malnutrition as the etiological factors of the delayed eruption. Vitamin D has shown to affect the enamel and dentin formation and has also been considered a risk factor for the development of dental caries. However, there is a lack of scientific literature regarding the association between Vitamin D deficiency and delayed eruption of teeth.

Hence, Lalitha S Jairam and associates from the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences conducted a cross‑sectional, observational study on 96 infants to assess the Vitamin D levels and correlate it with the eruption of primary teeth among 12–15 months of infants. The association between the socioeconomic status, maternal sun exposure during pregnancy, infant's sun exposure, and religion with Vitamin D deficiency was also assessed.

The blood samples of the infants were assessed for Vitamin D3 levels using the Vitamin D ELISA Kit. The eruption status of the teeth was recorded and subjected to analysis.

Key findings of the study include-

1. A significant correlation was found in the Vitamin D levels and the eruption timing (P < 0.001).
2. The difference in mean Vitamin D levels among the three socio-economic groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.088).
3. A significant association was found between the infant's sun exposure and the mother's sun exposure during pregnancy and religion on the Vitamin D levels.
4. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was 54.16% and 14.58% of infants had suboptimal levels of Vitamin D.

Therefore, the authors noted a strong association exists between the timing of eruption of primary teeth and Vitamin D deficiency, and it can be concluded that "Vitamin D deficiency could be an etiological factor for a delayed eruption".

"Socioeconomic status was a contributing factor for Vitamin D deficiency. The higher the socioeconomic status higher was the Vitamin D deficiency which could be due to the sun's protective factors and urbanization. Infant sun exposure played a pivotal role in Vitamin D levels of the infant showing that infants who had a sun exposure >15 min had higher Vitamin D levels", they finally said.

For further reference log on to:

Jairam LS, Konde S, Raj NS, Kumar NC. Vitamin D deficiency as an etiological factor in the delayed eruption of primary teeth: A cross-sectional study. JIndian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2020;38:211-5.

DOI: 10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_184_18