Vitamin D: A vital micronutrient for periodontal health

Abstract

Vitamin D is a vital micronutrient essential for maintaining overall health. It plays a key role in modulating both cellular and humoral immune responses, supporting cardiovascular function, and regulating cell growth and differentiation. Deficiency in vitamin D—often due to inadequate dietary intake—has been linked to a range of systemic disorders and is particularly detrimental to oral and periodontal health. Lower serum levels of vitamin D are associated with increased severity of periodontitis and a reduced response to periodontal therapies. The active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, exhibits potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Widespread vitamin D deficiency also compromises bone health by impairing calcium absorption in the gut and disrupting calcium homeostasis, leading to decreased bone density and a higher risk of fractures, especially in the elderly.