Studies on vitamin B complex and periodontitis
A controlled intervention study in 30 subjects showed that the administration of a vitamin B complex preparation (containing vitamin B₁₂, folate, thiamine HCl, riboflavin, niacinamide, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCl, and D-biotin) in patients after surgical periodontal therapy resulted in significantly greater attachment gains than the administration of a placebo. This means that the gums adhered better to the teeth, which is an important criterion for successful periodontal therapy. Interestingly, however, no differences were observed in inflammatory parameters such as the gingival index and bleeding on probing.
Another study investigated the effect of a multivitamin supplement (250 mg vitamin C, 1 mg folic acid, 0.1 mg vitamin B12, echinacea, grape seed extract, 25 mg coenzyme Q15, and black cumin) in 63 periodontitis patients without mechanical periodontal therapy over a period of 60 days. The results showed that both the number of probing depths > 4 mm and the average probing depth were reduced by 0.61 mm—a clinically relevant value that, according to S3 guidelines, indicates an improvement in the periodontal condition.
Multivitamin shake and wound healing
In another intervention study involving 28 periodontitis patients, it was observed that patients who received a multivitamin shake containing vitamins A, D, E, K, B₁, B₂, B₃, B₅, B₆, B₁₁, and C for eight weeks showed significantly improved wound healing. This was reflected in a lower gingival index compared to the control group, which received no vitamins.
Folic acid and periodontitis
A cross-sectional study of 844 elderly patients found that folic acid deficiency was associated with an increased incidence of periodontitis. In another placebo-controlled, randomized intervention study, taking 400 mg of folic acid for four weeks resulted in significantly greater attachment gain in patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Furthermore, the topical application of folate-containing rinses and systemic administration of folate were shown to reduce gingival and periodontal inflammation.
Vitamin B₁₂ and periodontal health
Although no specific intervention studies on vitamin B₁₂ supplementation in patients with gingivitis or periodontitis have been found, cross-sectional studies suggest that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is associated with an increased risk of periodontal inflammation. These findings support the notion that adequate vitamin B₁₂ levels may contribute to promoting periodontal health.
Sources:
• Neiva RF, Al-Shammari K, Nociti FH, Soehren S, Wang HL. Effects of vitamin-B complex supplementation on periodontal wound healing. J Periodontol. 2005;76(7):1084–91.
• Muñoz CA, Kiger RD, Stephens JA, Kim J, Wilson AC. Effects of a nutritional supplement on periodontal status. Compend Contin Educ Dent Jamesburg NJ 1995. 2001;22(5):425–8, 430, 432 passim; quiz 440.
• Lee J, Park JC, Jung UW, Choi SH, Cho KS, Park YK, et al. Improvement in periodontal healing after periodontal surgery supported by nutritional supplement drinks. J Periodontal Implant Sci. 2014;44(3):109–17.
• Keceli HG, Ercan N, Karsiyaka Hendek M, Kisa U, Mesut B, Olgun E. The effect of the systemic folic acid intake as an adjunct to scaling and root planning on clinical parameters and homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels in gingival crevicular fluid of periodontitis patients: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2020;47(5):602–13.
