Is there a link between vitamin C and oral health?

The vitamin C plays a significant role in oral health, well beyond its general antioxidant capacity. It is first and foremost indispensable for collagen synthesis, a structural protein found in the gums, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. It also contributes to the maintenance of microvascular integrity in gingival tissues by stabilizing the endothelium and limiting capillary permeability. When vitamin C intake declines, these mechanisms gradually fail, and the gums become prone to bleeding.

Clinical data confirm this link: low plasma levels (< 28 µmol/L) of vitamin C significantly increase gingival bleeding, while supplementation reduces these manifestations.

A particularly interesting study explored how plasma ascorbic acid levels influence gingival inflammation in both healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, 120 participants were divided into four groups: no periodontal disease, chronic gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, and periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes. The researchers measured several clinical parameters, including gingival bleeding, alongside plasma vitamin C levels. The results indicate that ascorbate levels were significantly lower in individuals from groups 2, 3, and 4, suggesting a link between reduced circulating vitamin C and gingival inflammation.

Participants with gingivitis and periodontitis were then assigned to two subgroups: standard periodontal treatment alone or combined with oral vitamin C supplementation (450 mg per day) for two weeks. Patients who received the supplementation showed a significantly greater reduction in gingival bleeding.

Beyond its role in gum health, vitamin C provides additional complementary benefits for oral health thanks to its antioxidant properties and its ability to support tissue repair. By enhancing collagen synthesis and improving fibroblast proliferation, it promotes a faster healing of periodontal and gingival tissues. Studies also show that after a tooth extraction, adequate intake of vitamin C can accelerate tissue restoration by supporting bone regeneration, thereby reducing postoperative pain and inflammation.

A study investigated the effects of vitamin C in a very common setting: molar extraction, a procedure known to be painful and to cause edema. Fifty participants were divided into two groups. All received antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, but only the second group was given oral vitamin C supplementation (500 mg twice daily). The researchers then evaluated pain and facial swelling over the seven days following the procedure. The results showed a reduction in pain and swelling in both groups, but the reduction was significantly more pronounced in participants who received vitamin C.

Vitamin C is also of interest in more technical situations: it can improve the bonding of orthodontic brackets, also called braces, to newly bleached enamel by neutralizing residual oxidants left by bleaching agents that tend to degrade collagen quality. Indeed, a recent study evaluated the efficacy of a solution combining 50% ascorbic acid and 50% citric acid to restore the bonding of metal brackets after hydrogen peroxide bleaching. Fifty teeth were allocated into five groups to compare different antioxidant approaches, including an ascorbic acid and citric acid mixture. The teeth were bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel before application of the test solutions, and the brackets were bonded immediately thereafter. The results show that the combined solution applied for 5 minutes restores a adhesive strength comparable to that observed in non-bleached teeth.

Vitamin C provides numerous benefits for oral health, notably by promoting tissue healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting gum integrity. However, we advise against taking supplements without medical advice, and you should never apply facial serums to your gums in an attempt to reduce bleeding.

• GOKHALE N. & al. A short-term evaluation of the relationship between plasma ascorbic acid levels and periodontal disease in systemically healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects. Journal of Dietary Supplements (2013).

• FATIMA F. & al. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory efficacy of ascorbic acid after third molar surgery. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad (2023).

• REIS A. & al. Administration of ascorbic acid to prevent bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity: A randomized triple-blind clinical trial. Operative Dentistry (2024).

• JAGELAVICIENE E. & al. Therapeutic impact of ascorbic acid on oral and periodontal tissues: A systematic literature review. Medicina (2024).

• CHAROENRAT T. & al. Reduction of surface treatment time by combination of citric acid and ascorbic acid while restoring shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to bleached enamel: A pilot study. BMC Oral Health (2024).

• VILLAVICENCIO-DUARTE J. & al. The effectiveness of vitamin C in dental alveolus healing after dental extraction: A scoping review. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal (2025).