In the last article, we reviewed how the bacteria that cause tooth decay depend on our diet. The bacteria that form plaque and cause periodontal disease and bone loss do not. Other factors also affect our oral health.
As we age, we may become deficient in certain important vitamins like B12 since our ability to absorb them decreases with age. Deficiencies in B vitamins may lead to inflamed, tender gums, but there is no evidence that this correlates with actual bone loss.
Similarly, there is some limited evidence that vitamin D deficiency may negatively affect our ability to control some of the bacteria that cause bone loss around the teeth. Again, our ability to produce vitamin D decreases with age. It is probably a good idea to supplement your diet with 600 to 2000 IU of vitamin D per day.
There is little evidence that today, nutritional deficiencies promote bone loss around the teeth. This assumes that you are eating a generally healthy diet. Unless you live entirely on "fast food," it is pretty hard to be malnourished in this country.
The best solution, of course, is to eat a healthy, balanced diet and have an annual checkup with your internist. This should include bloodwork to assess levels of vitamins such as B and D.