Everyone knows that Vitamin D is good for you, and we typically think of the sun as the greatest source for it. But did you know that the Vitamin D in certain foods also helps maintain strong teeth and improves your overall oral health?
It’s true! Vitamin D plays an important and meaningful role in healthy teeth, strong bones, and the condition of your entire body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can come to the rescue if your gums are inflamed due to gum disease (also known as gingivitis). Along with Vitamin D in healthy foods, brushing and flossing are the simplest ways to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
A nutritious diet that’s high in Vitamin D helps your teeth, jawbone, and all of the bones in your body to mineralize. Mineralization is a process that reinforces your teeth and bones to keep them strong and impermeable. If your teeth don’t get the Vitamin D they need to mineralize, cavities can form and there may be a loss of tooth enamel. Making sure you get a sufficient amount of Vitamin D is an effective way to reduce your risk of cavities in the short term, and reduce your risk of periodontal disease in the long term.
The most common way that we absorb Vitamin D is through the skin, when ultraviolet B rays shine on its surface. The rays move beyond the skin to interact with the pre-existing calcium in your body which creates a powerful interaction. This interaction turns sunlight into a catalyst for that calcium to not only exist in the body, but to be absorbed by your teeth and bones. Without the jumpstart that the Vitamin D provides, calcium is not easily absorbed and your bones and teeth may be left without the boost of calcium they need to stay strong. To keep your mouth and bones healthy, get outside! Your body will work in amazing ways to initiate the process of calcium absorption.
Depending on the season, getting those precious rays can be easier said than done. If you’re on the hunt for Vitamin D but the sun isn’t shining, look no further than some of your favorite healthy foods. Consuming enough of the right foods and staying away from sugary or starchy foods will help keep your mouth healthy in the same way that brushing and flossing does.
A nutritious diet that includes Vitamin-D rich foods is essential to your overall health. Looking for ideas? At breakfast, we recommend milk, soy milk, and egg yolks. At lunch, try a tuna sandwich, salmon, or cheese. When you’re planning your dinner, try incorporating mushrooms, sardines, and beef liver into your menu.
Everything that you consume—whether it be rays of sunlight or food—plays a role in your oral health, and in turn, your overall health. Studies show increasingly clear connections between the health of your mouth and the function of your circulatory system, immune system, your heart, and your other vital organs. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums can also help alleviate the symptoms and severity of chronic conditions like diabetes.
If bacteria exist in your mouth due to infections in a diseased tooth or inflamed gums, it can easily spread to other areas of the body and put them at risk for harm. For these reasons and others, it’s vital that you maintain healthy teeth and gums at home by brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and eating a diet full of Vitamin D.
On top of your at-home hygiene routine, it’s essential to visit your dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. Schedule an appointment with us today to keep your teeth, mouth, and whole body healthy and happy.