The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Periodontal Health and Associated Outcomes in Pregnant Women

Periodontal disease is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases known to humans, with a reported prevalence varying between 10%-60% in adults. Periodontal health is commonly affected in pregnancy. The prevalence of pregnancy gingivitis varies widely, ranging from around 35%- 100%. Although, most of the periodontal changes during pregnancy are reversible but females with preexisting periodontitis or those who have metabolic disease such as diabetes may suffer increased periodontal destruction and may exhibit significantly greater probing pocket depth and attachment level. Periodontal disease, as a source of persistent infection, may induce systemic inflammatory responses that increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, so far the results have been mixed. As vitamin D metabolites may also alter the inflammatory response and have antimicrobial effects thus the use of vitamin D may affect periodontal status. Evidence is there which suggests that an association exists between low serum levels of Vitamin D and periodontal attachment loss. If the investigators take all of the above factors in consideration, the broad picture reveals that as vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Pakistan, the pregnant females here are likely to have compromised periodontal health and probably poor pregnancy outcomes.