Vitamin C
By: Heather Atchley-Grey
Description and Function of
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is a water -soluble natural occurring vitamin
also known as ascorbic acid
Its essential for our bodys growth and development
The body does not store or produce Vitamin C therefore
a recommended daily dose is needed to provide the
body with a continuous supply.
Its used for formation of collagen which is necessary for
the development of skin, tendons, ligaments and blood
vessels, as well as the repair of cartilage, bone and
teeth
It aids in scar tissue formation, wound healing, and
absorption of iron
Continued.
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant by prohibiting damage
to our cells caused by free radicals
Free radicals are formed when our body converts the food
we eat into energy
The recommended daily dosage are listed below:
How to get Vitamin C in our
Daily Diet?
Our bodies receive Vitamin C by taking a supplement,
eating fortified foods, or eating raw fruits and/or vegetables
The best source of Vitamin C comes from strawberries,
raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, pineapple, kiwi,
mango, watermelon, cantaloupe, Brussel sprouts,
cauliflower, leafy greens, broccoli, green and red peppers,
sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
Some foods and/or beverages, known as fortified foods,
have Vitamin C added to their products
Microwaving or streaming foods with either natural or added
Vitamin C causes a decrease in the vitamin amount
The Vitamin C will decrease in these products overtime though if
they are stored for a long period of time
Vitamin C supplements come in the form of a pill or
powder and can be purchased at the grocery store
What happens if we get too
much Vitamin C?
Too much vitamin C can cause gastrointestinal upset,
kidney stones, nausea, gout, and hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is the over absorption of iron which can
cause the body to store too much iron leading to liver
disease, heart problems, and organ failure (Vitamin C).
Below lists how much is considered too much Vitamin C:
Life Stage
Upper Limit
Birth to 12 months
Not established
Children 13 years
400 mg
Children 48 years
650 mg
Children 913 years
1,200 mg
Teens 1418 years
1,800 mg
Adults
2,000 mg
What happens if we do not
get enough Vitamin C?
If a person ingests less than 10 mg daily over a period of
many weeks they are at risk to develop Scurvy.
If left untreated it can be fetal
Signs and symptoms of Scurvy are:
Blood vessel Disruption
Delay in wound healing
Weakness of scar tissue
Lose of teeth
Joint pain
A person with Scurvy can develop anemia because there
body looses the ability to absorb iron
Mild Vitamin C deficiency sign and symptoms are:
Bruising easily
Fatigue
Bleeding gums
Impaired immunity
Oral Implications of a
Vitamin C Deficiency:
Enamel Hypoplasia is a severe Vitamin C deficiency
Appears as a pitting of the enamel
Only crowns of teeth developing at the time of the
deficiency will be affected
Causes a weakening of the enamel
Other Oral Implications:
Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen which
is an important factor in the health of our gum tissue,
periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone
The deficiency causes permeability of gingival tissue,
making a person more susceptible to bacterial plaque
that causes periodontal disease
Clinical Observations of a
Vitamin C Deficiency:
Stomatitis
Glossitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane
Inflammation or soreness of the tongue
Tingling and/or burning of the tongue
Bleeding gingiva without obvious periodontitis or
gingivitis
Oral ulcerations
Angular Cheilosis
Painful cracking or inflammation of the corners of the mouth
Treatment for a Vitamin C
Deficiency :
Taking Vitamin C supplements or eating foods and/or
drinking juices rich in Vitamin C
Infants best recover by drinking orange juice
The body will generally show improvement within 24-48
hours of starting to ingest more Vitamin C, and be
completely better within 7 days
Vitamin C injections may be recommended in some
cases by a physician
Enamel Hypoplasia cannot be reversed since it occurs
during the development of the tooth
Composites, crowns and veneers can restore the teeth
Dental Hygiene Treatment
Considerations and Modifications:
No specific treatment modifications are indicated for a
Vitamin C deficiency
However, the dental hygienist should be educated
regarding the signs and symptoms of a Vitamin C
deficiency to help treat patients more comfortably, and
determine whether the patient should be referred for
further evaluation
If a Vitamin C deficiency is suspected inform the doctor so it
can be determined if the patient should seek additional
therapy
Educating all patients on the importance of maintaining
a Vitamin C rich diet will help prevent a future
deficiency
References:
Evert, A. (2013, February 18). Vitamin C. Retrieved from:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
Hornick, B. (n.d). Diet and Nutrition Implications for Oral Health. Retrieved
from: http://www.adha.org/ce-course-7 (This was a CE course on the adha
website)
Isben, O & Phelan, J.A.(2014). Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygienist. (6th
edition). Missouri: Elsevier Saunders.
Marieb, E & Hoehn, K. (2010). Human Anatomy & Physiology. (8th edition).
Illinois: Pearson Education.
Vitamin C. (2011, June 24). Retrieved from:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/
[Untitled photograph of Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin C].
Retrieved from: http://failedpilot.com/wp-content/uploads/vitamin-csources1.png
[Untitled photograph of Periodontal Disease]. Retrieved from:
http://www.higleyparkdental.com/procedures/periodontal-disease/
(n.d.) Mosby's Dental Dictionary, 2nd edition. (2008). Retrieved May 27 2015
from:
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/_/cite.aspx?url=&word=&sources
=mosby
[Untitiled photograph of angular cheilitis]. Retrieved from:
http://www.angularcheilitishelp.org/angular-cheilitis-abreva.php
