The importance of Vitamin D in oral and overall health
Vitamin D is a super vitamin that helps with a range of bodily functions, and can be gained as easily as going for a walk outdoors for 15 minutes per day.
Vitamin D is extremely important in dental health, as it helps our bodies absorb calcium. It is also important for overall health as it helps with muscle development and our immune
system.
Benefits of Vitamin D
Exposure to vitamin D can help in blocking the release of the parathyroid hormone. This hormone is known to damage bone tissue by reabsorbing it, leaving the body with weak and brittle bones. This can lead to osteoarthritis, and a higher risk of bone fractures and breaks.
Vitamin D directly assists in the absorption of calcium, and without it we would have weak and undeveloped teeth. We need calcium as an ongoing benefit for our teeth and bones, which is why it’s important to constantly keep our vitamin D levels high. Vitamin D can also assist in reducing inflammation of the gums, helping to prevent serious gum disease.
Although further research needs to be done in this area, some studies have suggested that vitamin D is linked to a lower risk in breast, colon and prostate cancers. Research has also suggested that it may assist in preventing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
How to up your Vitamin D intake
There are three ways to get vitamin D into your system, these include absorption via sun exposure, your diet, and supplements.
Vitamin D occurs when your skin is exposed to the UV coming from the sun. The highest levels of UV depend on the time of day, the cloud cover and the season. Generally between 10am and 3pm is the time of day that’s best for UV exposure. You don’t need to spend hours in the sun to achieve the vitamin D benefits, only a short 15 minutes of exposure will do the trick. The Australian sun can also be quite harsh and cause sunburn, and over time skin cancer. If you’re not comfortable with being exposed to the sun directly, you can look to get your vitamin D fix through your diet and supplements.
Foods high in vitamin D can include: salmon, tuna, swordfish, sardines, yoghurt, egg yolks,
swiss cheese and margarine. Some products have Vitamin D artificially added, and you can
usually tell by reading the labels. These products include orange juice, cereal, yoghurt and
margarine.
If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or don’t eat much of the above, you may consider taking vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is extremely important for individuals over the age of 70, to keep their bones strong and healthy. The best option before considering supplements is to speak with your doctor, who can check your vitamin D levels and prescribe you a supplement that will work best in your specific situation.
If you’re worried about vitamin D and low calcium affecting your teeth, make sure to visit
your Dentist to talk about different treatment options.
