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