Vitamins are essential nutrients that play crucial role in maintaining the overall health. One important vitamin is vitamin D .The body can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but it can also be obtained through food and supplements .
Vitamin D has the following role in the body.
1 . Bone health : vitamin D regulates the calcium levels promoting strong bones and teeth .
2 . Growth : it plays a role in the cell growth.
3 . It supports the immune system and reduces the risk of infections and auto immune diseases.
The following causes can lead to vitamin D deficiency in the body.
1. limited sun exposure
2. Poor diet : inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D rich food, which includes oily fish such as salmon and sardines, red meat, egg yolk, liver
3. Age : older adults may have reduced ability to produce vitamin D .
4. Medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease can affect vitamin D, absorption and processing.
Effects of vitamin D deficiency.
1. softening of bones in children and adults
2. Increased risk of fractures
3. Increased risk of infection
4. muscle pain and muscle weakness
5. Dental effects,
(A). increase risk of dental decay and cavities
(B) as it plays a role in teeth development, its deficiency can lead to delayed tooth eruption.
(C) vitamin D helps to maintain healthy gums . Deficiency can increase susceptibility to periodontal or gum diseases.
6. Vitamin D deficiency can be a contributing factor to enamel hypoplasia as it affects the enamel formation.
7. It may be surprising, but lack of vitamin D can contribute to bad breath as it supports immune system, its deficiency may weaken it and allow bacteria to grow.
ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
For children to get orthodontic treatment with braces or Aligners , vitamin D levels should be maintained. 1.deficiency will lead to slower tooth movement during orthodontic treatment
2. increased relapse ratio. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can lead to significant increase in the relapse. Meaning teeth may return to their original position after treatment.
3. The deficiency may affect the overall outcome of the orthodontic treatment, leading to longer treatment duration and reduce effectiveness.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Routine screening for vitamin D deficiency should be done during the treatment .
2. Vitamin D supplements may be recommended for the patients with deficiency to optimise the treatment outcome.
