Patients are consistently told that brushing and flossing regularly and reducing sugar intake are the core components of good dental hygiene. But what if there was more than just your brushing habits and sugar control that helped affect your gums and teeth? Many people never follow the recommended dental hygiene from their dental professionals, and yet they show no signs of dental problems. On the other hand, people who regularly floss, brush and eat well have consistent teeth issues.
So, what are we missing here?
Your dental hygiene routine and sugar reduction are not the only pieces to the puzzle when it comes to good dental health. Your teeth are living parts of your body and require the same level of nutrients as the rest of you. Our body’s ability to manage minerals is guided by the immune system and calcium balance. This is all resided over by a balanced level of vitamin D.
Vitamin D Deficiency Can Be a Real Problem
Vitamin D is a key player in dental health and preventing common issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. Vitamin D is essential to maintaining a healthy balance in your mouth. It is critical for a variety of bodily functions such as
- Building healthy bones
- Absorbing calcium through your digestive tract
- Managing your immune system
In fact, research has shown that children who exhibit vitamin D deficiency were at a higher risk of developing tooth decay.
Managing your vitamin D levels can make a huge difference in your dental health.
A few simple diet changes and lifestyle changes can make all the difference in your vitamin D intake and will vastly improve your dental health (and overall health).
Make sure to get 30 minutes of natural sunlight a day. You need to make sure your arms and face are exposed, otherwise, your body won’t be able to convert the vitamin D.
Eat 1-2 servings of vitamin D rich foods per day. This includes fatty fish, organ meats, eggs, butter, yogurt, or cheese from pasture-raised animals.
Diet and lifestyle changes are the most important part of making changes, but taking a vitamin D supplement can help as well. You should always consult a healthcare professional when taking vitamin supplements to ensure you are taking the right amount and type of vitamins.
Contribute to Your Dental Health in a Positive Way
Making small but significant changes to your overall lifestyle and health is going to help you in the long run. Vitamin D is one of the most essential vitamins for your dental health. It will make the greatest impact in lowering your risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
Next time you come in for a regular dental appointment at The Complete Dentistry of Orland Park, ask your dental health professional about your vitamin D levels. Know how you can make a positive impact on your whole-body health.
