Caries reduced in 6 ways by Vitamin D
Vitamin D – a forgotten preventive agent against caries? A narrative review
Clinical Oral Investigations Volume 29, article number 595, (2025)
Julia Grundmann, Susann Hertel, Christian Hannig & Johan P. Woelber
Objectives
Vitamin D has been extensively studied in dentistry in the modern past. However, its impact on caries progression and arrest remains unclear. This narrative review aims to provide a critical overview of the relationship between vitamin D and caries, with a focus on the historical development of the topic, current scientific understanding, and potential future perspectives.
Materials and methods A literature review and screening of historical periodicals was performed to outline the role of vitamin D in caries prevention in the past and in the future. Articles focusing on the historic use of vitamin D in cariology and vitamin D in cariology were included and evaluated.
Results Literature showed that vitamin D was described as one of the central caries preventive agents in the 1930s and 1940s until systemic and topical fluoridation became more prominent. Possible mechanisms described by current science include effects on tooth development and immune modulation via saliva.
Conclusions The emergence of fluoride as the leading preventive measure in cariology shifted the focus away from vitamin D research. However, recent studies have renewed interest in the potential causal role of vitamin D in caries prevention.