Association between Vitamin D Intake and Tooth Hypomineralization in Children: A Systematic Review

Author's Information:

Anggun Rafisa

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Felisha Febriane Balafif

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia 

Nuroh Najmi

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Faisal Kuswandani

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Vol 3 No 2 (2026):Volume 03 Issue 02 February 2026

Page No.: 50-56

Abstract:

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in tooth mineralization; however, evidence regarding its association with enamel hypomineralization, particularly molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH), remains inconsistent. 

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D exposure and enamel hypomineralization in children and to explore potential modifying factors contributing to conflicting findings.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eligible studies included observational or interventional research involving children, assessment of vitamin D exposure (dietary intake, supplementation, or serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D), and outcomes related to enamel hypomineralization. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines.

Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings were heterogeneous, with some studies reporting a protective association between higher vitamin D levels and reduced hypomineralization, while others found no significant relationship.

Conclusion: Current evidence does not consistently support a direct association between vitamin D status and enamel hypomineralization in children. Tooth hypomineralization is likely multifactorial, and future longitudinal studies with standardized assessments are needed to better define the role of vitamin D within this complex process.

KeyWords:

Vitamin D, tooth hypomineralization, dental enamel, child

References:

  1. Albalooshy AM. A step-by-step approach from diagnosing to managing hypomineralized teeth: A narrative review. Saudi Journal for Health Sciences. 2025;14(2):120-38. doi: 10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_156_24.
  2. Gaballah R, Amend S, Fresen KF, Schill H, Michel R, Pitchika V, et al. Hypersensitivity associated with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among elementary schoolchildren in Bavaria, Germany: results from a cross-sectional study. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025;26(5):987-96. doi: 10.1007/s40368-025-01054-1.
  3. Garot E, Vieira AR, Manton DJ. Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation as a Dental Caries Risk Factor - Is It True? Monographs in oral science. 2024;32:166-72. doi: 10.1159/000538885.
  4. Al-Nerabieah Z, AlKhouli M, Dashash M. Navigating the Complexities of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: Challenges and Strategies in Pediatric Dentistry. International journal of dentistry. 2025;2025:9329492. doi: 10.1155/ijod/9329492.
  5. Neto MBC, Silva-Souza KPD, Maranhão VF, Botelho KVG, Heimer MV, Dos Santos-Junior VE. Enamel Defects in Deciduous Dentition and Their Association with the Occurrence of Adverse Effects from Pregnancy to Early Childhood. Oral health & preventive dentistry. 2020;18(4):741-6. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.a45077.
  6. Alrehaili R, Khalil A, Mergami J, Koriri A, Yamani N, Albayat S, et al. Current Knowledge of the Etiology and Management of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in Children: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2024;16(11):e74770. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74770.
  7. Wright JT. Enamel Phenotypes: Genetic and Environmental Determinants. Genes. 2023;14(3). doi: 10.3390/genes14030545.
  8. Vieira AR, Kup E. On the Etiology of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization. Caries Res. 2016;50(2):166-9. doi: 10.1159/000445128.
  9. Charoenngam N, Shirvani A, Holick MF. Vitamin D for skeletal and non-skeletal health: What we should know. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma. 2019;10(6):1082-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2019.07.004.
  10. Grundmann J, Hertel S, Hannig C, Woelber JP. Vitamin D - a forgotten preventive agent against caries? A narrative review. Clin Oral Investig. 2025;29(12):595. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06605-w.
  11. van der Tas JT, Elfrink MEC, Heijboer AC, Rivadeneira F, Jaddoe VWV, Tiemeier H, et al. Foetal, neonatal and child vitamin D status and enamel hypomineralization. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2018;46(4):343-51. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12372.
  12. Durá-Travé T, Gallinas-Victoriano F. Dental caries in children and vitamin D deficiency: a narrative review. Eur J Pediatr. 2024;183(2):523-8. doi: 10.1007/s00431-023-05331-3.
  13. Reed SG, Voronca D, Wingate JS, Murali M, Lawson AB, Hulsey TC, et al. Prenatal vitamin D and enamel hypoplasia in human primary maxillary central incisors: a pilot study. Pediatric dental journal : international journal of Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry. 2017;27(1):21-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pdj.2016.08.001.
  14. Li Z, Wei X, Shao Z, Liu H, Bai S. Correlation between vitamin D levels in serum and the risk of dental caries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2023;23(1):768. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03422-z.
  15. Børsting T, Fagerhaug TN, Schuller A, Van Dommelen P, Stafne SN, Mørkved S, et al. The association between serum vitamin D status and dental caries or molar incisor hypomineralisation in 7–9-year-old Norwegian children: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-17745-1.
  16. Meena M, Aijazuddin A, Kumawat R, Saxena S, Rajput T, Jaidupally RR. Assessing the Impact of Diet on Enamel Hypoplasia in Children. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. 2025;17(Suppl 2):S1972-s4. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1818_24.
  17. Kühnisch J, Thiering E, Heinrich-Weltzien R, Hellwig E, Hickel R, Heinrich J. Fluoride/vitamin D tablet supplementation in infants—effects on dental health after 10 years. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2017;21(7):2283-90. doi: 10.1007/s00784-016-2021-y.
  18. Mortensen NB, Haubek D, Dalgård C, Nørgaard SM, Christoffersen L, Cantio E, et al. Vitamin D status and tooth enamel hypomineralization are not associated in 4-y-old children: An Odense Child Cohort study. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2022;221. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106130.
  19. Kühnisch J, Thiering E, Kratzsch J, Heinrich-Weltzien R, Hickel R, Heinrich J, et al. Elevated serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels are negatively correlated with molar-incisor hypomineralization. Journal of Dental Research. 2015;94(2):381-7. doi: 10.1177/0022034514561657.
  20. Doğusal G, Sönmez I, Ünüvar T. Evaluation of serum 25(OH)D levels in obese and normal-weight children with carious and hypomineralized teeth. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2021;45(1):35-40. doi: 10.17796/1053-4625-45.1.7.
  21. Hutami I, Arinawati D, Rahadian A, Dewi R, Siti Rochmah Y, Christiono S, et al. Roles of calcium in ameloblasts during tooth development: A scoping review. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. 2024;20:25-39. doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.12.010.
  22. Voiculescu VM, Nelson Twakor A, Jerpelea N, Pantea Stoian A. Vitamin D: Beyond Traditional Roles—Insights into Its Biochemical Pathways and Physiological Impacts. 2025;17(5):803. 
  23. Khan MU, Gautam G, Jan B, Zahiruddin S, Parveen R, Ahmad S. Vitamin D from Vegetable VV Sources: Hope for the Future. Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(2):100248. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100248.
  24. Piekoszewska-Ziętek P, Spodzieja K, Olczak-Kowalczyk D. Influence of Vitamin D on Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025;17(8). doi: 10.3390/nu17081317.
  25. Bartlett JD. Dental enamel development: proteinases and their enamel matrix substrates. ISRN dentistry. 2013;2013:684607. doi: 10.1155/2013/684607.
  26. Le Goff C, Cavalier E, Souberbielle JC, González-Antuña A, Delvin E. Measurement of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: A historical review. Practical laboratory medicine. 2015;2:1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.plabm.2015.04.001.
  27. Al Dehailan L, Martinez-Mier EA. Evidence on the association of overall dietary factors, selected environmental, medical, demographic, and biological factors and developmental defects of enamel, including MIH and enamel fluorosis. Front Oral Health. 2025;6:1616109. doi: 10.3389/froh.2025.1616109.
  28. Burns-Whitmore B, Froyen EB, Isom KA. Vitamin D and Calcium—An Overview, Review of Metabolism, and the Importance of Co-Supplementation. 2024;3(4):588-608. 
  29. Dimopoulou M, Antoniadou M, Amargianitakis M, Gortzi O, Androutsos O, Varzakas T. Nutritional Factors Associated with Dental Caries across the Lifespan: A Review. 2023;13(24):13254. 
  30. Cappelli D, Mobley C. Association between Sugar Intake, Oral Health, and the Impact on Overall Health: Raising Public Awareness. Current Oral Health Reports. 2017;4. doi: 10.1007/s40496-017-0142-2.