Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a scientifically plausible role in supporting gum health, including the prevention and management of gingivitis. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of gum tissue. Deficiency of vitamin C is well-known to cause scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums and periodontal breakdown. Several observational studies have found an association between low vitamin C intake and increased prevalence of gingival bleeding and periodontal disease. Small interventional studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can reduce gingival bleeding in individuals with low baseline vitamin C status. However, in populations with adequate vitamin C intake, supplementation does not appear to provide substantial additional benefit for gingivitis. Most major dental and nutrition organizations recognize vitamin C’s role in maintaining healthy gums, but do not recommend supplementation beyond the recommended daily allowance for the general public. Overall, while vitamin C deficiency clearly leads to poor gum health, and improvement is seen with repletion, robust randomized controlled trials demonstrating a direct therapeutic effect of supplementation in gingivitis (in the absence of deficiency) are limited. Thus, the evidence supports the importance of adequate dietary vitamin C for gum health, but does not strongly support high-dose supplementation as a primary treatment for gingivitis.

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