Khaberni - Researchers from Zhejiang University Medical School reported that high levels of Vitamin D in maternal plasma during pregnancy are associated with a decreased likelihood of dental caries in early childhood.
Globally.. the average prevalence of dental caries in early childhood is 23.8%
Early childhood dental caries is defined as the presence of one or more cavities, non-cavitational lesions, loss of tooth surfaces due to decay, or fillings on tooth surfaces in children up to the age of 71 months, and it is considered a significant health burden on children.
According to "Medical Xpress", painful teeth can hinder chewing processes, lead to secondary pulp diseases and apical root diseases, alter appearance, and negatively affect school life.
An assessment conducted in 193 countries from 2007 to 2017 showed that the average prevalence of dental caries in early childhood was 23.8% among children under 3 years of age, and 57.3% among children aged between 3 and 6 years.
The Fourth National Oral Health Survey in China in 2015 indicated that the prevalence of dental caries was 71.9% among children at the age of 5.
Teeth development during pregnancy
Teeth mineralization begins during pregnancy. Some studies have indicated that weeks 13 to 17 of pregnancy are critical for the mineralization of the upper anterior teeth, while most deciduous teeth start to mineralize in the second to third trimester of pregnancy.
Vitamin D supports the balance of calcium and phosphate during enamel formation, and also supports its remineralization after eruption.
Vitamin "D" Supplements
By monitoring approximately 5,000 mothers at various stages of pregnancy and up to the early years of childhood, high levels of Vitamin D in mothers during pregnancy were linked to a decreased likelihood of children developing dental caries in early childhood.
This suggests that taking Vitamin D supplements before or during pregnancy may be an effective way to reduce the risk and severity of dental caries in children.
The mid to late stages of pregnancy emerged as a period closely associated with high levels of Vitamin D and a decrease in cases of dental caries in children, including fewer deciduous teeth being decayed, missing, or filled.
