Is there a link between vitamin C and oral health?

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

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

A particularly interesting study investigated how plasma levels of ascorbic acid influence gingival inflammation, both in healthy individuals and in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, 120 participants were divided into four groups: absence of 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 show that ascorbate levels were significantly lower in individuals in groups 2, 3 and 4, suggesting a link between reduced circulating vitamin C and gingival inflammation.

Participants with gingivitis and periodontitis were then divided into two subgroups: standard periodontal treatment alone or combined with oral vitamin C supplementation (450 mg/day) for two weeks. Patients receiving the supplementation exhibited 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 capacity to support tissue repair. By bolstering collagen synthesis and enhancing fibroblast proliferation, it promotes a more rapid healing of periodontal and gingival tissues. Studies also show that after a dental extraction, sufficient vitamin C intake can accelerate tissue restoration by supporting bone regeneration, thereby reducing post-operative pain and inflammation.

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

Vitamin C also has an application in more technical contexts: it can improve the adhesion of orthodontic brackets, commonly called braces, to freshly bleached enamel by neutralising the oxidative residues left by bleaching agents that tend to damage collagen quality. In fact, a recent study evaluated the effectiveness of a solution combining 50% ascorbic acid and 50% citric acid to restore the bond strength of metal brackets following hydrogen peroxide bleaching. Fifty teeth were allocated into five groups to compare different antioxidant approaches, including a mixture of ascorbic and citric acids. The teeth were bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel before applying the test solutions, and the brackets were bonded immediately afterwards. The results show that the combined solution applied for five minutes is able to restore a bond strength comparable to that observed on unbleached teeth.

Vitamin C provides numerous benefits for oral health, notably by promoting tissue healing, reducing inflammation and supporting gum health. However, we strongly advise against supplementing 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).