Tag: Buccal delivery

The mouth is lined with a rich network of capillaries and mucous membranes. This network facilitates a lesser-known but effective route for nutrient uptake, leading many to wonder: can vitamins be absorbed through the gums? The answer is yes, for certain vitamins and via specific delivery methods.

Research confirms that certain nutrients, such as those in medicated chewing gum, can be absorbed directly through the mouth's oral mucosa, which includes the delicate tissues of the gums. This process offers a faster, more direct route into the bloodstream compared to traditional digestion, bypassing some of the metabolic processes that can reduce a supplement's effectiveness. Understanding this unique pathway answers the question: can vitamins be absorbed through gums?

While the vast majority of nutrient absorption happens in the small intestine, it is a documented fact that a small amount of absorption does take place in the mouth. The oral cavity is primarily for mechanical and initial chemical digestion, but its thin, vascular lining allows some substances to diffuse directly into the bloodstream.