Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that begins with a bacterial infection and subsequently progresses through an aberrant host response. Progressive periodontitis destroys the alveolar bone that supports the teeth and eventually leads to the loss of teeth. Oxidative stress by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) may be a major reason for the damage of periodontal tissue in periodontal disease. PMNs induce an antimicrobial response at the site of infection by triggering various intracellular signaling pathways, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have cytotoxic effects on periodontal tissue at higher concentrations.

Vitamin C is an important nutrient, and because of its ability to scavenge excessive ROS, this nutrient is considered an important dietary oxidant for periodontal health. Vitamin C also plays a key role in preventing and slowing the progression of periodontal disease by inducing the differentiation of periodontal ligament progenitor cells.

Researchers systematically reviewed studies addressing the relationship between vitamin C and periodontal disease and the preventive capacity of vitamin C for periodontal disease. Vitamin C intake and blood levels were found to be negatively associated with periodontal disease in cross-sectional studies. The subjects with periodontitis had lower vitamin C intake and blood levels than subjects without periodontal disease in the case-control studies. Patients with lower dietary intake or lower blood levels of vitamin C showed a greater progression of periodontal disease than the controls. The intervention using vitamin C supplementation improved gingival bleeding in gingivitis, but not in periodontitis. Alveolar bone absorption was also not improved.

In conclusion, vitamin C supplementation helps reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

Tada, A., & Miura, H. (2019). The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal diseases: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(14), 2472. [Link]