The sun does quite a bit for us here on earth. Without the sun, we would have no plants, no animals, and no food — life as we know it would cease to exist. A key component of the sun’s life-giving power is vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial to the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous in living things, which help maintain healthy bones. Someone who is vitamin D deficient is prone to developing weak, brittle bones, which consequently includes your teeth.
The fact that vitamin D promotes bone density has not been questioned, but the necessity of vitamin D in preventing tooth decay has. Dr. Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington conducted a review of a study that tested 3,000 children in several countries from the 1920s to the 1980s. He found that vitamin D levels in many populations decreased as dental caries (tooth decay) levels increased.
Coincidence or not, vitamin D is essential to health and does lead to stronger bones and teeth.
Data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA, found that 61 percent, or 50.8 million people, were vitamin D insufficient.
You may be at risk for vitamin D insufficiency if you:
- are a strict vegetarian
- have severe milk allergies
- avoid the sun
- have a body mass index greater than 30
For strong and healthy teeth, be sure to spend some time outdoors each day. If you do have a vitamin D insufficiency, drinking milk or taking vitamin D supplements will help. Include foods in your diet that are rich in vitamin D, such as fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks, and fortified dairy and grain products. When you take care of your overall health, the benefits extend to your teeth as well!
If your teeth have been affected by a vitamin D deficiency and you wish to correct the damage it may have caused your teeth, contact Dr. Sands today. He can assess your situation and determine which procedure will best suit your needs to reveal a beautiful, healthy smile. Please call (310) 273-0111 or fill out our contact form to schedule your consultation.