Vitamin D & Periodontal Health: Current Understanding & Clinical Considerations
Recent research highlights a potential link between vitamin D levels and periodontal health,specifically influencing the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9),an enzyme involved in tissue breakdown during gum disease.A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (August 2025, 52(8):1115-1124) by Gurbanov et al., investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on patients with varying degrees of periodontal health.
The study demonstrated that in periodontally healthy individuals, vitamin D supplementation did not lead to a important increase in serum vitamin D levels. However,across all groups studied – including those with periodontitis – a significant decrease was observed in sulcular fluid volume,gingival indices,plaque indices,and MMP-9 levels in sulcular fluid following the intervention. Importantly,increases in serum vitamin D levels correlated with reductions in both MMP-9 concentration and probing depth.
Currently, standardized guidelines for vitamin D diagnostics and supplementation within a dental context are still under progress. Consequently, decisions regarding the type, dosage, and duration of vitamin D supplementation largely rely on the clinical judgment of the practitioner. The authors emphasize the need for higher-level evidence, ideally from clinical trials focusing on periodontally relevant outcomes, to establish definitive recommendations for nutritional supplementation.
The study data revealed substantially lower vitamin D levels in patients with periodontitis, and a wide range of responses to vitamin D administration over a four-week period. Achieving a target level of approximately 30 ng/ml, as used in the study, is influenced by factors like obesity and is not easily predictable. Therefore,the researchers suggest re-evaluating vitamin D levels and adjusting supplementation,if necessary,at least four weeks after initiating treatment.
Regarding the method of supplementation, vitamin D is fat-soluble and should be administered in a form that facilitates absorption, such as capsules, sprays, or drops. While the study utilized a twice-weekly or once-weekly high-dose regimen, other recommendations advocate for daily administration of smaller doses (2,000 - 4,000 IU per day).
Source: gurbanov V, Öztürk A, Dogruel F, Saraçoglu H, Yazıcı C. Increasing Serum Vitamin D levels Reduces Gingival Crevicular Fluid Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Levels in Periodontal Health and Diseases. J Clin Periodontol. 2025 Aug;52(8):1115-1124.
Expert Commentary:
Prof. Dr. med. dent. clemens Walter
Department of periodontology, Oral Medicine and Oral surgery
Charité Center for Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine.
