Importance Of Vitamin D To Support Your Tooth & Gum Health

A healthy mouth can be a great asset. Our teeth have such an important role to play in our lives. They help us chew and digest food, they help us to talk and speak clearly and they also give our face its shape. A smile also has other day-to-day benefits. It has been said that the mouth is the gateway to your overall health. Not properly taking care of your teeth and gums can lead to a variety of health problems. From the loss of teeth and gum disease to heart disease and diabetes, oral health is very important.

Bad practices in the care of your teeth and gums can cause a number of problems. The most obvious problems would be deteriorating teeth and gum. Gum disease can cause patients to have loose teeth, cavities, infections, and other problems. Not caring for your teeth properly can cause you pain and ultimately loss of teeth. However, it can be prevented. The best way to prevent having problems with your teeth and gums would be to brush regularly, floss your teeth and visit your dental professional on a regular basis for checkups and routine care. By having proper care of your teeth, you will have a good chance of keeping your mouth healthy.

vitamin D plays a significant role in keeping your teeth healthy, vitamin D deficiencies can lead to several oral health disorders, like gingival inflammation, cavities, and gum disease.

 

Vitamin D and Dental Health

Vitamin D plays a key role in promoting dental health and helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Vitamin D is crucial for building healthy bones, as it allows your digestive system to absorb calcium from your diet. Calcium is the raw material that—with phosphorus—creates the bony structure that makes up tooth enamel. Under your enamel is dentin, which contains live cells that the body uses to protect the all-important blood supply and nerve inside your tooth.

Your dentin contains “guardian” cells that sit at the border of your enamel and release immune factors. They can repair damaged dentin, but only if there’s enough vitamin D present. If your vitamin D levels are low, then your defense system doesn’t have the fuel to protect and repair infected teeth.

 

Why Vitamin D is good for your teeth

Teeth have often been thought of as inanimate objects that need to be kept polished and clean—kind of like a porcelain vase that requires constant superficial maintenance. However, unlike porcelain vases, teeth are a living, functioning part of your body. The way the body manages minerals is guided by calcium balance and the immune system, which are both regulated by vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. These are both essential minerals for bone health. Naturally, since your teeth are made of bone, a lack of Vitamin D3 can impact the health and condition of your teeth. If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, you’re at risk of developing deteriorating teeth and gums as well as bone abnormalities such as soft bones (osteomalacia) or fragile bones (osteoporosis). 

It is crucial for women who are post-menopausal to ensure they obtain enough Vitamin D and calcium to help build stronger bones as otherwise, their risk of osteoporosis could be higher. Osteoporosis is a serious condition causing brittle and fragile bones later in life, and it can lead to severe injuries.

Periodontal Health.

Periodontal health is important for preventing dental and gum disease, preserving teeth, and supporting overall health. If you want a healthy, beautiful smile, this must be a priority. At Mint Dental in Bradenton, we provide gentle, thorough periodontal care and examine you for any signs of periodontal disease and other oral health problems.

Periodontal health is highly essential to the health of the oral cavity. Without proper care of the gums, people are likely to have dental issues, which may even lead to tooth loss. Many people do not know this, but gum health is also closely linked to overall wellbeing.The periodontium of your mouth is the gum tissue and bone supporting your teeth. The gums are one of the main supporting structures of teeth, and unhealthy gums often indicate a risk of eventual tooth loss or oral infection. Periodontal maintenance is very essential to gain the healthy teeth.

 

How Does Vitamin D Affect Your Teeth?

Because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, it’s essential for healthy teeth and gums. Researchers have linked a vitamin D deficiency to two main oral issues:

• Tooth Decay. As stated before, vitamin D plays a key role in absorbing and retaining calcium and phosphorous for bone and tooth mineralization. When your vitamin D levels are unregulated, it weakens your teeth, making you highly susceptible to cavities, fractures, and decay. A study of U.S. adults found that vitamin D levels are significantly associated with the occurrence of dental caries.
• Periodontitis. Research published in the Journal of Periodontal Research has linked lower vitamin D levels with an increased risk of periodontitis, possibly because of its connection to the immune system. Though it’s not fully understood, vitamin D seems to positively impact inflammation and mineralization effects on the tissue surrounding your teeth.

 

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

Since tooth decay and gum disease are two of the most prevalent oral health issues, you might want to check in on your vitamin D levels. Recent medical research on vitamin D levels found that about 23% of people in the United States aged one year and older were at risk of deficiency or inadequacy. You can determine your vitamin D levels through a simple blood test. If you’re concerned about your vitamin D intake, talk to your primary care physician about pursuing lab work.

So what is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D? Among adults aged 19-50 years, the Food and Nutrition Board recommends 15 micrograms (mcg) per day. To put that in perspective, one cup of vitamin D fortified milk contains about 2.9 mcg.

 

How Do You Get More Vitamin D?

If your physician has diagnosed you with a vitamin D deficiency, you can increase your vitamin D intake in three ways:

• Spend more time in the sun. The exact amount of time varies depending on your skin tone, time of day, time of year, and how much skin is exposed. However, sunscreen does prohibit vitamin D production, so remember that too much sun exposure can cause the skin to burn and even lead to skin cancer.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin D. Foods like cod liver oil (34 mcg per tablespoon), trout (16.2 mcg per 3 ounces), and salmon (14.2 per 3 ounces) provide the most vitamin D per serving. But if fish isn’t a staple of your diet, milk and cereals often come fortified with vitamin D as well.
• Try a vitamin D supplement. If your lab work shows a vitamin D deficiency and you’re struggling to get all you need through diet and sunlight, you might ask your primary care physician about a vitamin D supplement. They can recommend the proper dosage based on your unique needs.

You probably don’t need another reason to go outside and enjoy the sun today. While you’re soaking up some sun rays, definitely stop and think about how amazing it is your body can turn sunlight into vitamin D, which is critical for bone, tooth, and gum health. If you’re concerned about your vitamin D levels, see your primary care physician and discuss your options. Between sunlight, food, and supplements, you can get the vitamin D you need for a strong and healthy smile.