Q: Can vitamins or minerals help prevent or reverse gum disease?
A: About 15 years ago I had a patient who had severe periodontal disease and needed a lot of treatment. She declined treatment and instead started on a regimen of about 25 vitamin supplements recommended by her dentist. A year later she lost eight teeth and needed surgery. I wholeheartedly endorse a good balanced diet with vitamin supplementation (not megavitamins) but we still do not have proof that supplements prevent or stabilize gum disease.
