Clinical decision-support only. For use by licensed dental professionals. Not a substitute for professional judgment or a complete drug reference. Always verify with primary sources.
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Vitamin

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Likelihood in at-risk patientsLow

Likelihood of deficiency within an at-risk group, not the general population.

Evidence confidenceLow

Strength of the peer-reviewed evidence.

Food sources

Whole grains, Pork, Legumes, Fortified cereals

Typical intake: 1.2 mg/day for men, 1.1 mg/day for women (RDA).

Upper limit: No UL established: water-soluble with no well-documented toxicity from oral intake.

Dental & oral effects of deficiency

  • Burning mouth sensation

    B-vitamin deficiencies, including thiamine, are among the recognized correctable causes of burning mouth symptoms.

  • Altered taste

    Loss of appetite and taste changes can accompany thiamine deficiency.

Associated with deficiency

  • Beriberi: Muscle weakness and edema from thiamine deficiency.
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Neurologic emergency from severe thiamine deficiency, classically in alcohol use disorder.

Dental & oral effects of surplus / excess

No well-established oral-specific effect of excess intake on file.

Sources

  1. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: oral health and nutrition. Touger-Decker R, Mobley C, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2013.
  2. Vitamins and oral mucosal diseases: From bench to the bedside. Yesudian RI, Yesudian PD. Clinics in dermatology, 2026.
  3. A Prescription for Change: Food as Medicine & the Vital Role of Nutrition in Patient Care. teethFirst. Continuing education course material, 2025.