ascorbic-acid and Gingival-Hemorrhage

Although gingival bleeding is a manifestation of both scurvy and inflammatory periodontal disease, the two conditions are distinctly separate entities. The defective collagen synthesis associated with scurvy also manifests many of the same symptoms as deficient vitamin C physiology, but neither condition is associated with periodontal disease. Unlike scurvy, the various periodontal diseases are caused by oral plaque microorganisms. The body's reaction to these microorganisms is strongly influenced by the compromised functioning of leucocytes and monocytes. Although certain infections and systemic diseases cause gingival bleeding, avitaminosis-C does not cause commonly encountered periodontitis. Vitamin C should not be used for the prophylaxis or cure of periodontal disease in otherwise healthy, well-nourished individuals. A patient with bleeding gingivae warrants referral to a periodontist, oral medicine specialist, or appropriately qualified dentist for examination and treatment.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Collagen; Dental Plaque; Diagnosis, Differential; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Leukocytes; Monocytes; Mouth Diseases; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis; Scurvy

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Anemia; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bone Diseases, Developmental; Capillaries; Child; Collagen Diseases; Connective Tissue; Creatinine; Dentin; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Infant; Scurvy; Skin Diseases; Species Specificity

Reactive oxygen species might be associated with the onset and progression of gingival inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a dentifrice containing L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium salt (APM), a long-acting ascorbic acid derivative with antioxidant properties, on gingival inflammation.. The clinical effects of APM were investigated in a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial comprising 300 individuals with gingivitis. Half of the participants were given an APM-containing dentifrice and half were given a control dentifrice. The primary outcome was the gingival index (GI) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included gingival redness as an indicator of the degree of local gingival inflammation, gingival bleeding as a measure of the gingivitis severity index, and total antioxidant activity of the saliva.. Under the intent-to-treat analysis, GI did not significantly differ between the groups (P = 0.12). However, under the per-protocol analysis, GI was significantly lower in the APM group (P = 0.01) than in the control group. In the APM group, gingival redness was significantly lower, and the difference from the baseline gingivitis severity index was significantly greater (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). The total antioxidant activity of the saliva was significantly higher in the APM group (P = 0.03). The incidence of adverse events did not significantly differ between the groups (P > 0.15).. These findings indicate that the regular application of an APM-containing dentifrice could reduce gingival inflammation.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dentifrices; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Humans; Intention to Treat Analysis; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Periodontal Index; Safety; Saliva; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Several recent studies have indicated that total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of plasma seems to be compromised in chronic periodontitis (ChP). The aim of this study is to investigate plasma TAOC in patients with ChP and to assess the effects of vitamin C as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment.. The study population consisted of 60 subjects: 30 diagnosed with ChP and 30 matched controls. Furthermore, patients from the ChP group were randomly allocated into ChP1 (15 patients received non-surgical treatment with adjunctive dose of vitamin C) and ChP2 (15 patients received non-surgical periodontal treatment alone). Plasma TAOC levels were measured by an ABTS assay at baseline and 1 month post-therapy.. Plasma TAOC levels were significantly lower in ChP patients than controls (P <0.001). The periodontal therapy resulted in increasing plasma TAOC and improvements in clinical measures among both ChP1 and ChP2 groups (P <0.001). However, the adjunctive dose of vitamin C did not offer additional effect (P >0.05).. ChP is significantly associated with lower levels of plasma TAOC. The non-surgical periodontal therapy seems to reduce the oxidative stress during the periodontal inflammation. However, the use of adjunctive vitamin C still needs further investigation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alveolar Bone Loss; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Chronic Periodontitis; Combined Modality Therapy; Dental Plaque Index; Dental Scaling; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Root Planing; Single-Blind Method; Vitamin E; Young Adult

204 children between the ages of 1.5 and 6.5 years living in a West African village where the incidence of gingivitis and bleeding gums is about 40% of the population at the end of the rainy season, were given vitamin C or a placebo for 69 days, followed by a multivitamin supplement or placebo for 47 days. The condition of their gums was continuously monitored by trained field workers and by a paediatrician during the supplementation period, and was also assessed in greater detail by the paediatrician at the beginning and end of each treatment period. No benefit of either type of supplement could be detected, either on incidence of bleeding, or on over-all severity of gingivitis, although there was a clear-cut seasonal trend towards lower incidence of bleeding in both groups as the study progressed.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Gambia; Gingival Diseases; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Humans; Infant; Male; Seasons; Vitamins

Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by ascorbic acid deficiency and is potentially fatal. It was originally described in the 18th century by James Lind and associated with long sea voyages and insufficient citrus consumption. Its prevalence has declined markedly over the years but has still been described sporadically in certain countries. A 22-year-old woman with an anxiety disorder and anorexia nervosa, recent pregnancy and ongoing breast feeding, presented with a 10-day history of spontaneous haematomas in the lower limbs, gingivorrhagia and fatigue. The examination was remarkable for signs of minor bleeding without haemodynamic compromise, gonalgia and pale skin. Work-up studies revealed the presence of anaemia. Direct anamnesis identified a diet based solely of tea and carbohydrates due to distorted body image. With the working diagnosis of scurvy, nutritional support and oral vitamin C supplementation was initiated. Her symptoms and anaemia resolved in 30 days and the diagnosis was confirmed biochemically.

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Anorexia Nervosa; Anxiety Disorders; Ascorbic Acid; Breast Feeding; Diagnosis, Differential; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Supplements; Fatigue; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Scurvy; Tea; Young Adult

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease are at risk for vitamin C deficiency and scurvy due to diet restriction, increased urinary loss of the water-soluble vitamin C with diuretics, and in case of patients who are on dialysis, through dialysates. The condition may be overlooked as the clinical manifestation of scurvy may be subtle, and some presentations may mimic clinical signs in CKD. We reported a case of scurvy presenting with gingival bleeding and blood dialysate in a 6-year-old girl with end-stage renal disease who was on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Physical examination showed gingival hyperplasia and bleeding, and the pathognomonic bleeding of perifollicular hemorrhage. The typical radiographic changes were present. The clinical signs and symptoms resolved after ascorbic acid treatment. This case underscores the importance of awareness of the increased risk for vitamin C deficiency in patients with CKD and receiving dialysis.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Dialysis Solutions; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Peritoneal Dialysis; Renal Dialysis; Scurvy

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Exanthema; Fluid Therapy; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Immobilization; Male; Malnutrition; Middle Aged; Scurvy; Social Isolation; Thiamine; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins

Scurvy is the classic and most severe form of vitamin C deficiency. This condition has become extremely rare among children in the industrialized countries.. We report the case of two boys presenting bone pain associated with haemorrhagic gingivitis, with perifollicular purpura of the lower limbs in one boy. The children had an unbalanced diet. Scurvy was associated with vitamin D and iron deficiency. The dermatological and radiological abnormalities seen were characteristic and a favourable outcome was rapidly obtained following supplementation.. The possibility of this forgotten historical illness should not be overlooked in the presence of these dermatological and rheumatologic signs, since this can help avoid unnecessary or excessively aggressive investigations.

Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Lower Extremity; Male; Purpura; Rare Diseases; Risk Factors; Scurvy; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ecchymosis; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Scurvy; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Developing Countries; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Scurvy; Skin Diseases, Vascular; Young Adult

Scurvy is a disease that results from a vitamin C deficient diet. Since vitamin C is available in many food products, and especially in citrus fruits, the disease is rare in developed countries. Clinical manifestations of scurvy include general weakness, cutaneous and gum bleeding, pain in the lower limbs and inability to stand and walk (pseudo paralysis). The diagnosis of scurvy requires a high level of clinical suspicion, typical radiographic features and low Levels of vitamin C in the plasma. We report a case of a 7-year-old patient with a medical history of hydrocephalus, failure to thrive and severe psychomotor retardation due to complications of prematurity. On admission she had gum bleeding, severe anemia, pain in the lower limbs and refused to stand and walk. According to her parents, her diet was restricted, without vegetables or fruit consumption. Our investigation ruled out coagulopathy, malignancy and infection. Serum vitamin C levels were low and radiographic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of scurvy. The patient improved rapidly after the initiation of vitamin C supplements. Despite being rare, scurvy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bleeding and pain in the lower limbs, especially in a malnourished patient.

Topics: Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Child; Child Nutrition Disorders; Citrus; Developmental Disabilities; Enteral Nutrition; Failure to Thrive; Feeding Behavior; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Mobility Limitation; Musculoskeletal Pain; Phytotherapy; Radiography; Scurvy; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare salivary concentrations of reduced, oxidized glutathione, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and total antioxidant capacity in subjects with diabetes and systemically healthy subjects with inflammatory periodontal disease.. Sixteen patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), 25 patients with type 2 DM, and 24 systemically healthy patients, all with inflammatory periodontal disease, were recruited. Whole-saliva samples were obtained, and full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements, including plaque index, probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing, were recorded at six sites per tooth. Saliva flow rate and salivary levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione, vitamin C, uric acid, and total antioxidant capacity were determined. Data were analyzed statistically by non-parametric tests.. The subjects with type 2 DM had fewer teeth and more sites with probing depths >4 mm than the patients with type 1 DM (both P <0.01). The mean salivary reduced-glutathione concentration was lower in patients with type 1 DM than in the other two groups (both P <0.05). No significant differences in the salivary concentrations of the other antioxidants measured were found among the groups (P >0.05). Oxidized glutathione levels in the patients with type 1 DM were significantly lower than in the systemically healthy group (P = 0.007). In both groups with diabetes, salivary reduced-glutathione levels correlated positively with probing depth, and total antioxidant capacity correlated with salivary flow rate (P <0.01).. The decrease in salivary reduced-glutathione levels in patients with type 1 DM may have a role in periodontal tissue destruction by predisposing tissues to oxidative stress.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Dental Plaque Index; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingival Recession; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Saliva; Secretory Rate; Uric Acid; Young Adult

4-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA) and nitrite are present in human mixed whole saliva, and HPA can be nitrated by peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))/nitrite systems in the oral cavity. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to estimate the concentrations of HPA, nitrated HPA [4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetic acid (NO(2)HPA)], nitrite, and thiocyanate (SCN(-)) in saliva from 73 patients with periodontal diseases and to elucidate the conditions necessary to induce nitration of HPA. High concentrations of HPA, nitrite, and SCN(-) were found in the saliva of patients older than 50 yr of age. NO(2)HPA was detected in seven patients who were older than 60 yr of age. Nitrite-dependent formation of NO(2)HPA by a bacterial fraction prepared from mixed whole saliva was faster at pH 5.3 than at pH 7, and increased as the rate of H(2)O(2) formation increased. The formation of NO(2)HPA was inhibited by SCN(-) and by salivary antioxidants such as uric acid, ascorbic acid, and glutathione. These results suggest that nitration can proceed at an acidic site in the oral cavity where H(2)O(2) is produced under conditions of decreased concentrations of SCN(-) and of antioxidants.

Topics: Acids; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bacteria; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Glucose; Glucose Oxidase; Glutathione; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth; Nitrites; Periodontal Diseases; Peroxidases; Phenylacetates; Saliva; Smoking; Thiocyanates; Uric Acid; Young Adult

Epilepsy is a symptom of cerebral dysfunction, where there is a sudden and disorganised discharge of electrical activity from a group of neurones, producing symptoms that range from sensory absences to convulsive movements and unconsciousness. Fasting is recognised as reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures in difficult to control patients. The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate and adequate protein diet that mimics the biochemical effects of fasting. It is deficient in some essential elements that require supplementation.. A 9-year old girl with learning difficulties, developmental delay and refractory epilepsy was placed on the ketogenic diet in 2003. Prior to starting the diet she had had as many as 12 tonic seizures/day, with prolonged periods of non-convulsive status epilepticus. Subsequent to being placed on the diet, the frequency of her seizures reduced markedly; there were long periods during which she had none. In late 2006, the patient inhaled a primary molar. This was retrieved by emergency bronchoscopy and at the same time the remaining primary teeth were extracted. Three weeks later she was admitted to hospital with low-grade fever, persistently bleeding sockets, oedema of her hands and feet, a petechial rash and bruising. A differential diagnosis included: liver disease, bleeding dyscrasia, oncological pathology or scurvy. The most striking finding amongst a number of investigations was a vitamin C level of 0.7 micromol/l (Deficiency: < 11 micromol/l). Accordingly a diagnosis of scurvy was made.. The patient was prescribed ascorbic acid 500 mg twice/day. Three weeks later the patient's vitamin C level was 141.5 micromol/l; the dose was therefore reduced to 250 mg once/day.. At two-month review, the signs and symptoms of scurvy had resolved.. Inhaling a tooth and scurvy are both rare occurrences. Paediatric dentists should be aware of the possible implications of a ketogenic diet.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diet, Ketogenic; Epilepsy; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Scurvy; Tooth Loss; Treatment Outcome

Peri-implant disease is considered to be an inflammatory disease, but many aspects of its pathogenesis remain unknown. At present, peri-implant disease is considered to be initiated and perpetuated by a small group of predominantly Gram-negative, anaerobic, or micro-aerophilic bacteria that colonize the subgingival area. Bacteria cause the observed tissue destruction directly by toxic products and indirectly by activating host defence systems, i.e. inflammation. A variety of molecular species appears in the inflamed tissues, among them are reactive species such as free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study was to assess levels of various antioxidants in saliva to identify differences between the saliva of patients with healthy peri-implant tissues and patients with peri-implant disease, and to examine whether the whole saliva of those with peri-implant disease conditions might have lower levels of antioxidants than that of healthy individuals.. Thirty healthy adult volunteers (14 men and 16 women) with implant-supported overdentures (Ankylos Biofunctional Implants) were selected from the group of patients from Tallinn Dental Clinic. Biochemical and clinical parameters evaluated were the following ones: the levels of urate, ascorbate, myeloperoxidase in saliva, total antioxidant status of saliva, pocket probing depth (mm), gingival index (0, 1, 2, or 3), and bleeding on probing (0 or 1).. Total antioxidant status (TAS) of saliva and concentration of uric acid and ascorbate, which are the main salivary antioxidants, are significantly decreased in patients with peri-implant disease. TAS in healthy subjects was 0.41+/-0.10 for resting saliva and 0.31+/-0.09 for stimulated saliva; in diseased subjects TAS was 0.19+/-0.07 and 0.12+/-0.03, respectively. In healthy subjects, the concentration of urate was 307.2+/-78.06 microM/l in resting saliva and 241.5+/-89.09 microM/l in stimulated saliva. In diseased patients, the concentration of urate was 120+/-36.13 and 91.60+/-39.35 microM/l, respectively. The concentration of ascorbate did not differ in resting and stimulated saliva. In healthy subjects, it was 2.79+/-0.81 mg/l and in diseased subjects, it was 1.54+/-0.30 mg/l. This may indicate that excessive ROS production in peri-implant disease is leading to the situation of excessive oxidative stress, which may be an important factor contributing the destruction of peri-implant tissues. The importance of these findings may be the better understanding of the processes involved in the pathogenesis of peri-implant disease and that the treatment of peri-implant disease may involve adjuvant anti-oxidants supplementation together with cumulative interceptive supportive therapy concept introduced by Mombelli & Lang.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dental Implants; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; Denture, Overlay; Female; Free Radicals; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Peroxidase; Reactive Oxygen Species; Saliva; Uric Acid

This study evaluated possible effects of smoking and gingival inflammation on salivary antioxidants in gingivitis patients.. Twenty otherwise healthy gingivitis patients (10 self-reported smokers) and 20 periodontally and systemically healthy volunteer subjects were enrolled in the study. Whole saliva samples and full-mouth clinical periodontal recordings were obtained at baseline and one month following initial phase of treatment in gingivitis patients. Salivary cotinine, glutathione and ascorbic acid concentrations, and total antioxidant capacity were determined, and the data generated were tested by non-parametric tests.. Salivary cotinine measurements resulted in re-classification of three self-reported non-smokers as smokers. Smoker patients revealed significantly higher probing depths but lower bleeding values than non-smoker patients (p=0.044 and 0.001, respectively). Significant reductions in clinical recordings were obtained in non-smoker (all p<0.05) and smoker (all p<0.01) patients following periodontal treatment. Salivary total glutathione concentrations were reduced following therapy in gingivitis patients who smoke (p<0.01). Otherwise, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in biochemical parameters at baseline or following treatment (p>0.05).. Within the limits of this study, neither smoking nor gingival inflammation compromised the antioxidant capacity of saliva in systemically healthy gingivitis patients.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Cotinine; Dental Plaque Index; Dental Scaling; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingival Pocket; Gingivitis; Glutathione; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Hygiene; Oxidation-Reduction; Root Planing; Saliva; Smoking

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether gingivitis susceptibility is associated with periodontitis. We analyzed data of 462 men in the VA Dental Longitudinal Study aged 47 to 92 years who had never smoked or had quit smoking 5+ years previously. Multiple logistic regression models, with tooth-level bleeding on probing at sites with attachment loss

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Body Mass Index; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Crowns; Dental Calculus; Dental Plaque; Diabetes Complications; Disease Susceptibility; Educational Status; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Humans; Income; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marital Status; Middle Aged; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontitis; Prospective Studies; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Mouth Mucosa; Scurvy

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Pain; Radiography; Retrobulbar Hemorrhage; Scurvy; Visual Acuity

The exact relationship between plaque-induced periodontal diseases and vitamin C deficiency is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on the severity of periodontal diseases. The periodontal condition of 75 dentulous subjects with a low level of AA in the plasma (< or = 25 mumol/l) was compared with that of 75 control subjects (plasma level > or = 50 mumol/l) matched for age, sex and number of teeth. The subjects were asked to list foods containing AA in their diet, and intake of AA in milligrams per day was calculated. The daily diet of the study subjects contained on average 52 mg +/- 24.9 (SD) of AA, and that of the controls 77 mg +/- 43.2 (SD). For each individual, site-specific recordings for the presence or absence of plaque and supra- and subgingival calculus, filling overhangs, gingival bleeding after probing, probing pocket depth, and gingival recession were made clinically in a double blind examination carried out by one dentist. Five per cent of the subjects in the study group (low plasma level of AA) and 18 per cent of the controls had healthy periodontal tissues. The proportion of sites in which bleeding after probing and a probing pocket depth of 4 mm or over were observed was significantly higher in the study group than in the controls. Sixty per cent of the subjects in the study group and 37 per cent of the controls had pathological pockets of 4 mm or over.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Case-Control Studies; Dental Calculus; Dental Plaque; Diet; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Pocket

This study describes the relationship between varying ascorbate intake, periodontal status, and subgingival microflora as part of a multidisciplinary investigation of ascorbic acid (AA) metabolism in young men housed for 13 weeks in a nutrition suite that provided controlled periods of ascorbic acid depletion and repletion. Twelve medically healthy non-smoking men, aged 25 to 43 years, ate a rotating four-day diet adequate in all nutrients except ascorbic acid. Following an initial baseline period during which the subjects received 250 mg AA/day, the subjects received 5 mg AA/day for a 32-day depletion period. Eight of the 12 subjects participated in a subsequent 56-day repletion period designed to replace the reduced body AA pool slowly. Plasma and leukocyte ascorbate levels, Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depths, and attachment level were monitored at the beginning and end of the depletion and repletion periods. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained and examined for selected organisms by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. A uniform oral hygiene program was reinforced after each examination. Ascorbate concentrations in plasma and leukocytes responded rapidly to changes in vitamin C intake. There were no significant changes in plaque accumulation, probing pocket depth, or attachment level during the study. In contrast, gingival bleeding increased significantly after the period of AA depletion and returned to baseline values after the period of AA repletion. However, no relationship could be demonstrated between either the presence or proportion of target periodontal micro-organisms and measures of bleeding or ascorbate levels.

Topics: Actinomyces viscosus; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bacteria; Bacteroides; Dental Plaque; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingival Pocket; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Stomatitis, Aphthous

To determine if systemic levels of vitamin C influence periodontal health, changes in plaque accumulation, gingival health and periodontal probing depth were measured in healthy subjects housed for 3 months in a nutrition suite that provided controlled periods of ascorbic acid depletion and supplementation. Eleven healthy, nonsmoking men, aged 19 to 28 years, ate a rotating 7-day diet adequate in all nutrients except ascorbic acid. This basal diet, which contained less than 5 mg/day ascorbic acid, was supplemented with 60 mg/day ascorbic acid for 2 weeks, 0 mg/day ascorbic acid for 4 weeks, 600 mg/day ascorbic acid for 3 weeks and 0 mg/day ascorbic acid for 4 weeks. Plasma, urine and leukocyte ascorbate levels, Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Bleeding Index and probing depths were monitored throughout the study. A uniform oral hygiene program was maintained in which oral hygiene instructions were reinforced bi-weekly. Ascorbate concentrations in body fluids and leukocytes responded rapidly to changes in ascorbic acid intake. No mucosal pathoses or changes in plaque accumulation or probing depths were noted during any of the periods of depletion or supplementation. However, measures of gingival inflammation were directly related to the ascorbic acid status. The results suggest that ascorbic acid may influence early stages of gingivitis, particularly crevicular bleeding.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Index; Periodontium

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Gingiva; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Capillary Fragility; Erythrocytes; Flavones; Gingiva; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hemorrhage; Humans; Rutin; Vascular Diseases; Vitamins