Calcium

Lauren Holvey DH1

 What is
Calcium?

• Calcium is a mineral
• Associated with healthy bones
and teeth
• Most abundant mineral in the
body
 What
Functions
does
Calcium
Support?
Food Sources
High in Calcium
• Dairy products; cheese, yogurt
• Dark green, Leafy vegetables
• Canned sardines
• Salmon
• Almonds
• Figs
 • Occurs when the calcium levels in your blood are too low
Calcium Deficiency • Symptoms depend on how mild/severe the condition is
- Hypocalcemia • Caused by abnormal levels of PTH (Parathyroid hormone) or vitamin D
• Can cause osteoporosis
Symptoms of
Hypocalcemia
• Mild
• Muscle cramps
• Dry, scaly skin
• Brittle nails
• Coarse hair
• Severe
• Tingling lips, tongue, fingers, feet
• Muscle aches/spasms
• Stiffening of muscles
• Seizures
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Congestive heart failure
 • Possible tooth decay or tooth loss
How Hypocalcemia • Osteoporosis may affect jaw
Affects Oral Health • Increased risk for periodontal or gum disease
Treatment of
Hypocalcemia ORAL CALCIUM
SUPPLEMENTS
VITAMIN D
SUPPLEMENTS
SYNTHETIC FORM
OF PTH
IV CALCIUM
GLUCONATE
IF MEDICATION IS
THE CAUSE,
(MOST COMMON) CHANGES MAY BE
MADE
 • Condition occurs when calcium levels are above
Excess Calcium – normal
• Main cause: excess parathyroid hormone
Hypercalcemia • Second main cause: cancer
Symptoms of
Hypercalcemia

• Excessive thirst and urination

• Nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Bone pain and muscle weakness
• Confusion, lethargy, fatigue
• Palpitations and fainting
How Hypercalcemia
Affects Oral Health
• Soft tissue calcifications
• Tooth sensitivity when chewing or biting
• Malocclusion
• Slight jaw pain
• Caries
Treatment of
Hypercalcemia

• Drink more water

• Avoid calcium supplements
• Avoid calcium-rich antacid tablets
• Calcitonin – controls amount of calcium in blood
 • It is important to recognize these signs/symptoms
Our Role as • We can provide nutritional counseling or offer a referral
Dental Hygienists • We must communicate the connection between
nutritional deficiencies/excess and oral health
 References
Hypercalcemia teeth: What it is & treatment options. Colgate®. (n.d.-a).
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cancer/hypercalcemia-teeth-what-it-is-
treatment-options#
Hypocalcemia: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23143-hypocalcemia#:~:text=What%20is
%20hypocalcemia%3F,vitamin%20D%20in%20your%20body.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, April 14). Hypercalcemia.
Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypercalcemia/symptoms-
causes/syc-20355523
Member, U. G. D. T. (2021, November 16). The effects of a calcium deficiency on your oral
health. University General Dentists. https://utknoxvilledentists.com/the-effects-of-a-
calcium-deficiency-on-your-oral-health/