Gingival abnormalities in scurvy

The gingival swelling and dusky color just above two of the teeth indicate hemorrhage into the gums of this patient with poor dentition. The gingival abnormalities of scurvy occur only in the presence of teeth, which presumably provide portals of entry for microbes into the gums. One hypothesis suggests that vitamin C deficiency impairs neutrophil-mediated killing of bacteria, leading to chronic gingivitis, which is then complicated by bleeding from the fragile vessels characteristic of scurvy.