Oral Signs of Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient	Sympton
Calcium	Alveolar bone resorption, increased tooth mobility, premature tooth loss, tendency to hemorrhage
Iron	Sores at edge of mouth, pale lips and mucosa; taste bud loss; smooth, shiny tongue
Magnesium	Alveolar bone fragility, inflamed gum tissue
Vitamin A	Abnormal oral mucosa and gum inflammation, impaired taste, yeast infection in the mouth called thrush
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	Sores at sides of mouth, taste bud abnormalities, shiny red lips, magenta or sore tongue
Vitamin B3 (niacin)	Sores at edge of mouth, tip of tongue is red and swollen while edges are smooth and dry, ulcerative gingivitis, mouth pain
Vitamin B6	Sores at edge of mouth, sore burning mouth, smooth tongue
Vitamin B12	Sores at edge of mouth, sore burning mouth; beefy, bright red tongue, often with fissures; numbness; loss of taste; dry mouth; bad breath; bleeding gums; abnormal mucosa; detachment of periodontal fibers from bone; loss of alveolar bone
Vitamin C	Gum bleeding, increased infection
Vitamin D	Alveolar bone resorption
Vitamin K	Alveolar bone resorption, increased bleeding, yeast infection
Zinc	Loss of taste, loss of tongue sensation; abnormal mucosa; thickening of mucosal cells; dry mouth; increased susceptibility to periodontitis and yeast infections

Source: Depaula D. Nutrition in relation to dental medicine. In: Shiles, M. Modern nutrition in health and disease. 9th ed. Baltimore (MD): Williams and Wilkins; 1999. p 1110.