Scurvy and Rickets: What Deficiency Disease Attacks the Teeth?

January 8, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, dental caries remains one of the most prevalent diseases globally. While poor hygiene is a major factor, a lesser-known cause is a specific deficiency disease that attacks the teeth, compromising enamel and gum health through nutritional shortcomings.

Quick Summary

Scurvy, from severe vitamin C deficiency, and rickets, caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium, are nutritional diseases that can severely damage teeth and gums. These conditions weaken dental structures, leading to decay, loss, and gum issues.

Key Points

Scurvy affects gums: A severe vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, causing bleeding, swollen gums and loose teeth due to poor collagen synthesis.
Rickets weakens teeth: Caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate, rickets results in defective tooth mineralization, leading to soft enamel and vulnerability to decay.
Calcium is key for structure: A lack of calcium forces the body to draw from bones and teeth, weakening them and increasing the risk of loss.
Fluoride protects enamel: Insufficient fluoride makes tooth enamel weaker and more susceptible to acid attacks and cavities.
B12 impacts gum health: Low vitamin B12 levels are associated with higher rates of gum disease and tooth loss, particularly in older adults.
Prevention is dietary: The best way to prevent these issues is through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fortified foods, and moderate sunlight exposure.

Scurvy and rickets are two of the most prominent deficiency diseases that can severely impact dental health. While scurvy primarily affects the gums and connective tissues, rickets directly compromises the structural integrity of teeth and bones. A balanced diet and adequate sun exposure are crucial defenses against these potentially damaging conditions.

The Destructive Impact of Scurvy

Scurvy is caused by a severe, prolonged deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), an essential nutrient for the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a vital component of the body's connective tissues, including those that support the teeth and gums. Without enough vitamin C, collagen production falters, leading to a host of oral problems.

Oral Manifestations of Scurvy

Bleeding and Swollen Gums: The gums become swollen, spongy, and purplish, and they bleed very easily. This is one of the earliest and most recognizable symptoms.
Loosened and Lost Teeth: With the connective tissues that hold teeth in place weakening, teeth may become loose and can eventually fall out.
Poor Wound Healing: The body's ability to heal and repair tissue is compromised, which can make any oral surgery or injury heal slowly, if at all.

Preventing Scurvy

Preventing scurvy is as simple as ensuring a sufficient intake of vitamin C. As the body cannot store vitamin C, a daily dietary intake is necessary. Rich sources include citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, bell peppers, strawberries, kiwi, and leafy greens.

Rickets and Its Attack on Tooth Structure

Rickets is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate, which are all vital for bone and tooth mineralization. When these nutrients are lacking, the bones and teeth can become soft and malformed. While typically associated with childhood, inadequate vitamin D and calcium intake in adulthood can also compromise oral health.

Dental Issues Caused by Rickets

Enamel Hypoplasia: This condition involves a defect in the tooth enamel, resulting in soft spots or thin enamel that is highly susceptible to decay and cavities.
Delayed Tooth Eruption: The process of teeth emerging can be significantly slowed in children with rickets.
Enlarged Pulp Chambers: The soft, inner tissue of the tooth (the pulp) can become unusually large, making the tooth more vulnerable to infection.
Dental Abscesses: The combination of weakened enamel and large pulp chambers increases the risk of bacteria invading the tooth, leading to abscesses, sometimes spontaneously.
Short Roots and Alveolar Bone Loss: Radiographic examinations often show shorter roots and poorly defined alveolar ridges, which can lead to tooth instability and loss.

The Crucial Role of Other Nutrients

In addition to vitamin C and vitamin D, other nutritional deficiencies can have a profound impact on dental health.

Calcium Deficiency: Calcium is the building block for strong tooth enamel and bones. A long-term calcium deficit can cause the body to pull this mineral from the jawbone to supply more critical functions, leading to weakened bone density and tooth loss.
Fluoride Deficiency: Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and resist acid attacks from bacteria. A deficiency makes teeth more prone to cavities and decay.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Research shows a link between low vitamin B12 levels and increased dental disease burden in older adults, possibly contributing to gum disease and tooth loss.

Comparison of Key Deficiency-Related Dental Problems


Condition	Primary Cause	Key Oral Symptoms	Main Mechanism of Damage
Scurvy	Severe Vitamin C Deficiency	Bleeding/swollen gums, loose teeth, delayed wound healing	Compromised collagen production, weakening connective tissues
Rickets	Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphate Deficiency	Enamel hypoplasia, enlarged pulp chambers, abscesses	Defective mineralization of teeth and bones
Calcium Deficiency	Inadequate Calcium Intake	Weakened enamel, tooth loss, reduced jawbone density	Body reabsorbs calcium from bones and teeth for vital functions
Fluoride Deficiency	Insufficient Fluoride Intake	Weakened enamel, increased cavities and decay	Lack of remineralization and resistance to acid

Conclusion

While oral hygiene is a cornerstone of dental health, it's clear that nutritional deficiencies can silently undermine even the best brushing and flossing routines. Conditions like scurvy and rickets, caused by insufficient vitamin C and vitamin D, respectively, attack the teeth by weakening fundamental structures and making them susceptible to decay, infection, and loss. A balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, along with adequate sunlight exposure for vitamin D, is a crucial component of a comprehensive preventive strategy. Awareness of these nutritional threats can empower individuals to protect their oral health from the inside out. For further information on the effects of vitamin D, visit the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a severe deficiency of vitamin C can cause scurvy, which weakens the connective tissues holding teeth in place, leading to them becoming loose and falling out.

The primary dental problem caused by rickets is defective mineralization of tooth enamel and dentin, leading to soft, weak teeth that are highly prone to decay and abscesses.

Calcium deficiency affects your teeth by causing your body to pull calcium from your jawbone, weakening it and increasing the risk of tooth decay and loss over time.

Yes, while fluoride is a mineral, not a vitamin, a deficiency makes teeth more vulnerable to decay by weakening the enamel's resistance to acid, similar to how a deficiency disease compromises the body.

The first signs of scurvy in the mouth typically involve the gums becoming swollen, tender, and easily bleeding, even from light brushing.

You can prevent vitamin D deficiency by getting adequate sunlight exposure, consuming foods like fatty fish and fortified dairy, and considering supplements if necessary.

With proper treatment, such as vitamin supplementation, many symptoms can resolve. However, severe damage like significant tooth loss or permanent structural defects from rickets may not be fully reversible.