Serum vitamin D level and female teenage caries experience: a cross-sectional study in Iran

Elham  Ahmadi; Khadijeh Mirzaei; MirSaeed Yekaninejad; Sasan Fallahi; Ladan Ranjbar Omrani; Hamid Kermanshah; Mahboobeh Mahmood; Mohadeseh Nouri

doi:10.18502/jcr.v11i1.16490

Elham Ahmadi Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Khadijeh Mirzaei Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
MirSaeed Yekaninejad Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sasan Fallahi Department of Internal Medicine, Baharloo Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ladan Ranjbar Omrani Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hamid Kermanshah Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahboobeh Mahmood Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohadeseh Nouri Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jcr.v11i1.16490

Keywords: Vitamin D, Caries, Female, Teenagers, Cariostatic

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to assess Serum Vitamin D level and female teenage caries experience.

Methods: This study evaluated 330 healthy female Iranian students between 13 to 19 years residing in Rey city. A questionnaire collected their demographic information. They underwent clinical dental examination to determine the number of decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT index). The nutritional status was evaluated using the food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) by assessing the consumption of cariostatic, cariogenic, remineralizing, sticky foods and carbohydrates. The serum samples were collected to measure the serum vitamin D level using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression and independent samples t-test.

Results: The mean DMFT was 5.34±3.94. Of all, 69.3% had severe vitamin D deficiency, 20.3% had moderate vitamin D deficiency and 10.4% had normal level of vitamin D. Cariostatic agents consumption had a significant inverse correlation with DMFT (P=0.006). An increase in serum level of vitamin D by more than 10.27 ng/mL was associated with a reduction in prevalence of dental caries by 22%. Increased consumption of cariostatic agents by more than 89.30 g/day decreased the prevalence of dental caries by 32%. No significant association was noted between the prevalence of dental caries and level of parent’s education, consanguinity of parents, level of income, place of residence, frequency of tooth brushing, dental flossing, and dental visits (P>0.05).

Conclusions: While the serum vitamin D level had no significant effect on DMFT, the nutritional regimen seemed to play a more important role in caries control.