THE ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF IRON DEFICIENCY

Abstract

The recent recognition that lesions of the buccal tissues may be due to vitamin B complex deficiencies has led to the unjustified assumption by many that all such lesions are manifestations of vitamin deficiencies. In fact it has been claimed that changes in the lingual papillae are specifically due to niacin deficiency¹ and that the glossitis encountered in other conditions is probably due to "chronic niacin deficiency."² Similarly it has been implied that fissures at the angles of the mouth are pathognomonic of riboflavin deficiency³ although it has been demonstrated that such lesions may heal following the administration of niacin,⁴ pyridoxine⁵ or pantothenic acid⁶ or that they may be resistant to therapy with all known B factors.⁷ Attention has been directed repeatedly to the multiplicity of etiologies of such oral lesions.⁸ The association of atrophy of the lingual papillae, glossitis and cheilosis