Acute Vitamin C Deficiency and Periodontal Disease

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Abstract
25 Young adult guinea pigs were studied for a period of 35 days and it was shown that acute vit. C deficiency is responsible for destructive changes in the periodontal membrane and alveolar bone in the absence of general inflammation or pocket formation. These changes result in a loss of tooth supporting tissues throughout the jaws which may be described as generalized periodontoclasia or diffuse alveola atrophy. Although acute vit. C deficiency results in edema, collagen, degeneration and hemorrhage in the marginal gingivae, it does not initiate or increase the incidence of marginal gingivitis or pocket formation. Local factors are required for the initiation of gingival inflammation and pocket formation in acute deficiency. When pocket formation occurs in acute vit. C deficiency it is of greater depth than that which occurs normally under comparable local conditions.