Low vitamin D levels in pregnant women are linked to the development of teeth cavities in toddlers, a new study suggests. Previous reports showed that the deficiency of vitamin D among pregnant women can result to defects in the child's teeth enamel, which starts to build up in the womb.
The researchers from University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada measured the vitamin D levels of 207 pregnant women, average age 19 and studied the teeth of their 135 children, average 16 months old. The women provided blood samples and information on their health behavior and socio-economic status. All of them were from urban poor areas.
The children's teeth were examined while their mothers were asked to answer a questionnaire about breast-feeding, the child's health and behavioral patterns and introduction to solids. After analyzing the factors, the scientists found that the lower the vitamin D level of the mother, the higher the amount of cavities in her child.
About one third of the women had vitamin D deficiency while 22 percent of the babies had thinning or deficient teeth enamel and 23 percent had teeth cavities. However, the authors of the study acknowledge the shortcomings of the study. The participants were all economically disadvantaged and it could not control other factors that are potentially connected to tooth decay.
"The association is not overly strong," senior author Robert J. Schroth and associate professor at the University of Manitoba said. "But this may be the first step in prevention - making sure that prenatal nutrition and vitamin D levels are right."
Vitamin D is essential not only for bone health and it is especially important for pregnant women to get enough vitamin D for their infants.
"All pregnant and nursing women need to take 4000-5000 vitamin D3," Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center expert William B. Grant told Reuters Health.
Vitamin D has many benefits for pregnant women, including lower risk of respiratory, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, premature delivery and harmful effects on the fetus such as birth defects and autism.
However, Dr. Philippe P. Hujoel from University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle does not agree that pregnant women generally have to take vitamin D supplements.
"In place of supplementation, I would recommend maintaining proper vitamin D levels during pregnancy the natural way," Hujoel said.
He encourages pregnant women to choose foods that are rich in vitamin D such as ahi tuna, wild salmon, eggs and mushrooms. He said that by lessening carbohydrate intake, the women will also reduce their body's need for vitamin D.
"Avoid sugar. It is a necessary fuel for dental cavities and it burns up vitamin D," he added.
