Objective: It is well known that disturbed diet and nutritional status could be risk factors for infectious diseases. But until now the role of vitamin C in periodontitis is not investigated enough. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and vitamin C plasma levels of periodontal diseased patients in comparison to healthy subjects (controls). Methods: Dietary habits were assessed by a 7-day food record, which were analysed by a computer programm (DGE-PC professional 2.7). Subjects were assigned to periodontitis group (n=23; mean age: 46.7) and control group (n=22; mean age: 35.7). Each subject was characterized by the periodontal status: clinical measurements of plaque index, sulcus bleeding index and probing pocket depth. The vitamin C plasma levels were determined by a photometric method with 2.4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazine. Results: The analysis of the 7-day-food record showed a significantly lower mean fruit intake in the periodontitis group (243 g/day) in comparison to the control group (318 g/day) (p<0.05). These results correlate with the reduced vitamin C intake in the periodontitis group: 162.7 mg/day (control group: 237 mg vitamin C/day). Furthermore vitamin C plasma levels showed significantly reduced values in the periodontitis group (0.64 mg/dl). Whereas the control group had mean levels of 1.07 mg/dl (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that periodontitis patients had lower vitamin C plasma levels than healthy individuals. This could lead back to a lowered intake of fruits. To improve the vitamin C supply and possibly the periodontal conditions, the intake of fruits, especially vitamin C rich fruits should be recommend to periodontal diseased patients.

Back to the Nutrition Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 82nd General Session (March 10-13, 2004)

Top Level Search