If you’ve struggled with tooth loss, you certainly aren’t alone. More than 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Fortunately, you don’t need to go the rest of your life without it. Dental implants can replace the entirety of your missing teeth – not just the chewing surface. However, for them to be successful, it’s important that you are getting enough vitamin D. Continue reading to learn more about vitamin D and why it’s crucial for dental implants.
Why Is Sufficient Vitamin D Necessary for Dental Implants?
Vitamin D is needed to maintain healthy bones and teeth. This vitamin helps your body to regulate the amount of phosphate and calcium in the body – two minerals that you require for excellent oral health. Without vitamin D, you would develop a severe calcium deficiency, leading you to experience a variety of problems for your dental health, including tooth decay and gum disease. When you have these issues, it is much less likely that you will end up with successful dental implants. Calcium deficiency doesn’t just affect your smile either. It has been associated with other serious issues throughout the body, including depression, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and cancer!
How Do You Get Enough Vitamin D?
The most effective way for your body to get vitamin D is by absorbing it from the sun. By spending enough time outside, you can see huge changes in the amount of vitamin D and calcium your body has. The amount of time required for a sufficient amount of vitamin D absorption varies from person to person. This is due to the wide range of skin tones that absorb the sun’s rays at different paces. People who have darker skin tones have more melanin, which protects the body from overexposure. Because of this, people with darker complexions require anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours more than Caucasians, who only need about 10 to 30 minutes a few times a week.
How Else Can You Get Vitamin D?
While the sun is the best way for your body to absorb vitamin D, there are also some foods that provide it:
- Fatty fish and seafood
- Fortified cow’s milk
- Egg yolks
- Portabella mushrooms
If you have concerns regarding vitamin D, you can always get your levels checked through your primary care provider. If they are low, they may recommend over-the-counter supplements or write you a prescription.
Getting the nutrients you need is essential for the health of your dental implants and the rest of your body. By spending some time out in the sunshine and enjoying foods rich in vitamin D, you can set your implants up for success.
About the Practice
At Radiance Dentistry, we have a team of dentists serving patients in Irving. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. They even complete the entire dental implant process in-house! For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (972) 866-7976.