"It has been established that 20 percent of gingival collagen is turned over daily….Fibroblasts require ascorbate to produce collagen. Hence, the high turnover of gingival collagen probably renders gingival remodeling and repair particularly vulnerable to ascorbate deficiency. Vitamin C is also required by polymorphs in their vital defense role"
“The phagocytic and chemotactic functions of the white cells require vitamin C concentration within the cell…Although debate continues concerning the required plasma ascorbate levels, it appears likely that the demand for ascorbates and essential metabolites for defense and repair of gingival tissue may be met in the presence of chronic inflammation, smoking, stress, inadequate diet, aging, or any other vaso-constrictive factors. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is that vitamin C can serve as an invisible toothbrush"
