Vitamin D Deficiency in Both Oral and Systemic Manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Updated Review

Abstract

The specialized literature emphasizes the fact that vitamin D has a potentially beneficial effect in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to highlight the role of vitamin D, both prophylactic and curative, in the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Even though its relevance is still unknown and causes various controversies, there is currently no specific treatment for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. There are various prevention strategies with new vaccination schedules, but additional randomized and clinical trials are still needed to combat this pandemic. In addition to the systemic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, oral manifestations of this disease have also been described in the literature. The etiology of oral manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection and vitamin D deficiency remains controversial. In the present studies, oral manifestations such as salivary gland infections, aphthae, erythema, gingivitis, ulcers, etc. have been reported. This is a new topic, and the prevalence of manifestations is described in only a few studies, which is inconsistent with the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic. The clinical symptomatology in patients with current COVID-19 infection is polymorphic. Whether the oral manifestation is directly caused by SARS-CoV-2 or a secondary manifestation remains an important topic to analyze and discuss.