LAUSR

AIM This Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore the causal relationship among circulating vitamin C and D levels, dental caries, and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR analyses were conducted with the inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) method, weighted median, MR-Egger approaches, and MR-Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS) method to assess the causal relationships between circulating vitamin C and D concentrations and dental caries, the number of remaining natural permanent teeth in the mouth (N teeth), and periodontitis. RESULTS We found potential causal association of circulating vitamin D concentrations with N teeth (β=0.085; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.150; p=0.012) based on the IVW method. No significant causal relationship between circulating vitamin D levels and dental caries and periodontitis was observed. Similarly, no evidence supported a causal relationship between circulating vitamin C concentrations and the risk of dental caries, N teeth, and periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS There is no obvious evidence suggesting a causal relationship among circulating vitamin D, dental caries, and periodontitis drawing into question the mechanism for any association with N teeth. Additionally, there is insufficient power to detect small effects in vitamin C levels and caries and periodontitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.