Vitamin C

Question: I have been taking Vitamin C because I heard it helps my gums stay healthy. Is there any truth to this?

Answer: Well, yes and no. Yes, Vitamin C is essential for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, which is an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments and bone and, when someone if deficient in Vitamin C, it is common to see Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and/or bleeding of the gums. However, more is not necessarily better. In other words, while adequate Vitamin C helps your gums and teeth stay healthy, taking significantly more than you need won't make your gums or teeth "healthier." The recommended daily allowance for women, age 19 and older, is 75 mg per day. Vitamin C is water soluble, so whatever you consume beyond what your body needs, will be excreted in your urine.