Calcium Alone Can't Help Your Teeth: The Importance Of Vitamin D
If you were asked what the most important nutrient for dental health is, what would your response be? For most people, the connection between calcium and teeth and bones is very strong. Low levels of calcium can lead to everything from faster tooth decay, causing cavities, to loss of bone mass in the jaw, complicating procedures like dental implants.
But fewer people know the importance of vitamin D in this equation. The effect of vitamin D on your teeth is less direct than calcium, but it's no less important. Without sufficient vitamin D, you can drink as much milk as you want, but your body won't be able to absorb this calcium properly. That's why it's crucial to make sure you are getting both calcium and vitamin D.
Who Is Most At Risk Of Low Vitamin D?
Vitamin D comes from two main sources. It can be absorbed from foods or pills that contain vitamin D; in addition, the human body can actually produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost no Americans have excessive levels of vitamin D, and some Americans do not have enough.
Because vitamin D may be absorbed from food and this dietary vitamin D is fat-soluble, low levels are often found in people with celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease who have trouble digesting fats; people on extreme low-fat diets are also at risk. Obesity can cause body fat to absorb vitamin D, preventing it from being used properly.
Many people get little vitamin D from the sun as, in modern times, people are spending less time outdoors; when people spend time in the sun, they are also more likely to wear sunscreen. The darker someone's skin is, the less vitamin D is produced from sun exposure as well. And as people age, their bodies produce vitamin D less efficiently as well.
What's The Best Way To Increase Vitamin D?
It's possible to increase your vitamin D levels through supplements, and your dentist may even recommend them if he or she notices loss of bone density in your jaw. But the best way to get more vitamin D is to make sure your diet contains good sources of it.
Many of the foods that contain high levels of vitamin D are also high in calcium, making them doubly effective at keeping your teeth strong. Milk, yogurt, cheese, and many other dairy products contain vitamin D or are fortified with it. Other common breakfast foods like eggs, orange juice, cereal and oatmeal are also good sources.
Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, another excellent source of this vitamin is fatty fish such as halibut, salmon, whitefish and trout. Many fish are considered a good source of healthy fats, and they are also high in vitamin D. This combination ensures that you'll be getting dietary vitamin D and that your body will be absorbing it properly.
For more information about the importance of vitamin D in your oral health, talk to an experienced dentist like Brant N Olson, DDS PA.
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