A patient with scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) presents to the dental office. The PRIMARY oral manifestation is:

Correct answer: B. Spontaneous gingival bleeding and impaired wound healing

• A. Angular cheilitis is associated with iron deficiency, riboflavin deficiency, or Candida — not specifically scurvy.
• B. Correct. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for collagen synthesis. Scurvy causes defective collagen formation, leading to fragile blood vessels, spontaneous gingival bleeding, perifollicular hemorrhages, and severely impaired wound healing.
• C. Enamel hypoplasia is associated with nutritional deficiencies during tooth development — not scurvy in adults.
• D. Dry socket is associated with smoking and estrogen use — not specifically scurvy.