Risk of Gum Disease Can Be Reduced With Right Diet

Got milk? How about orange juice?

A pair of studies by scientists at the State University of New York at Buffalo have found that people who consumed too little calcium or too little vitamin C had a greater risk of developing gum disease than those whose diets contained adequate levels of both nutrients.

The studies underscore the importance of diet in preventing periodontal disease, said Sara Grossi, director of the UB Periodontal Research Center, where the research was conducted.

Both studies were based on data from two federal studies--the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. The first federal survey was conducted from 1971 to 1975, and the other was conducted from 1988 to 1994.

The first study, which examined calcium intake, showed that women on average consumed less than the recommended 800 milligrams per day; men, slightly more than 800 milligrams. Calcium is critical in forming bones and teeth; too little can lead to osteoporosis and other ailments.

The Buffalo team compared calcium intake with detachment of the gum from the underlying bone. They found that people who consumed little calcium as young adults were more likely to develop gum problems than those who met or exceeded the recommended amount.

From age 20 to 39, when periodontal disease is rare, low calcium consumption in childhood doubled the risk, the team found.

The second study, which focused on vitamin C consumption, found that inadequate intake can lead to gum problems, particularly among smokers. People with the lowest vitamin C intake were at the highest risk for gum disease, the Buffalo researchers found. The risk was especially true for smokers, because vitamin C is believed to counteract some toxins in smoke and helps maintain and repair connective tissue.

The studies were presented last month at the annual meeting of the International Assn. for Dental Research, held in Nice, France.