Prophylactic Vitamin C supplements in COVID 19 era -boon or bane: An in vivo study

Abstract

Background Vitamin C is an essential nutrient which aids in enzyme activation immunity boosting and as an antioxidant. In present scenario of COVID 19 pandemic Vitamin C is prescribed as nonspecific treatment to counteract the inflammatory mediators and to boost immunity.Chewable vitamin C consumption can lead to drop of salivary pH leading to erosive effects on teeth.Objective This study aims to evaluate and compare the drop of salivary pH in normal healthy individuals and in diabetics.Methodology An in vivo study was done to evaluate pH drop after consumption of vitamin C 500 mg involving 24 subjects. Subjects are divided in to two groups 12 in each group -Group I normal healthy individuals and Group IItype 2 diabetics. Resting salivary pH and salivary pH after consumption of vitamin C is measured at different intervals 15 30 and 45 min for both the groups using pH litmus paper and confirmed with digital pH meter. Results There is definite pH drop after consumption of chewable Vitamin C. However duration and extent of pH drop varies between the normal healthy individuals and in diabetics. The pH drop is greater in diabetics and it falls below critical pH increasing the chances of dental erosion.Conclusion Increased intake of Vitamin C supplements presents adverse effects on dental hard tissues and alternate method of intake of vitamin C to maximise its benefits and at the same time maintaining integrity of dental hard tissues should be considered.