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Feb 25, 2022
Calciferol, commonly known as vitamin D, is naturally present in some foods and can be produced by the human body through exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet rays activate vitamin D production, which is essential for the absorption and retention of phosphorus and calcium.
Besides being vital for bone development, it is influential in preventing gum disease and tooth decay. Thus, expert Hope Island dentist highly recommend the sunshine vitamin to maintain optimum oral health.
It is vital to understand that dental problems cannot be prevented only through brushing and flossing. Several other factors affect dental health, and vitamin D is one of them.
Lately, vitamin D deficiency has become common because people spend more time indoors instead of venturing out in the sun due to the pandemic. Thus, it is imperative to know how vitamin D can impact our teeth and gums.
Vitamin D and Dental Health
The growth, development, and maintenance of all body parts depend on metabolic events catalysed by vitamins and minerals. Our teeth are also made up of minerals, mainly calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, along with vitamin D, are responsible for oral well-being and the strength of the jawbone.
Calcium makes the bone strong enough to keep the tooth in place, and phosphorus aids in completing this task. Vitamin D takes charge of maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus and its absorption in the body. It supports the calcification and mineralisation of teeth and is also involved in defending them from ailments.
Growing children need an adequate amount of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in their diet for the development of strong teeth. Thus, they must consume a healthy diet and spend some time out in the sunlight every day.
Children who suffer from deficiency of vitamin D experience changes in the enamel and dentin during the development of their teeth. It can also affect the immune system and decrease the infection-fighting capability of the body.
Dental Problems Caused by Vitamin D Deficiency
The sunshine vitamin manages the mineralisation of bones and teeth as it aids in the absorption of calcium from the food. However, if the body doesn’t have the required amount of vitamin D, it can make the teeth weak.
Thus, teeth become vulnerable to decay, including cavities and caries. Since vitamin D also manages the immune system, it can cause periodontitis because there is no protection of teeth from infections.
Gingivitis is often caused by the inflammation of the immune system. If there is a lack of immune cells, the number of microbes in the mouth increase and causes irritation, swelling and bleeding of gums.
Thus, if you are suffering from tooth and gum problems despite brushing and flossing religiously, you need to visit your dentist. The practitioner may ask you to check your vitamin D levels to identify the underlying problem.
It requires getting a simple test done to detect the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in the blood. Usually, the test is prescribed in winter because the level of vitamin D is expected to be the lowest in the body at this time.
Amount of Vitamin D Required for Healthy Body
Vitamin D is needed by the body to build strong bones and teeth. It prevents osteoporosis and strengthens the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. The right amount of the vitamin needed by a person depends on their age.
Babies up to one year need 12 micrograms of the nutrient every day on average. Everyone aged between 1 to 70 years needs 15 micrograms, and people above 71 years need 20 micrograms of vitamin D daily because the ability of the skin to produce the nutrient diminishes in old age.
The 15 micrograms daily intake is also recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Infants usually do not get enough vitamin D because breastmilk doesn’t have the required amount. Thus, they should be exposed to sunlight once a day. People can also develop vitamin D deficiency if they are always in a closed environment because of work, dark skin tone, or obesity.
Sources of Vitamin D
The nutrient is not found in many foods. Some foods containing vitamin D are dairy products (milk, cheese, and yoghurt), cereals, tuna, sardines, and eggs. Fortified foods that include vitamin D are edible oil spreads, such as margarine. Increasing the intake of calcium is also helpful if you have vitamin D deficiency.
Exposing your skin to sunlight is another way of generating vitamin D in the body. However, you need to be careful with the amount of UV radiation that your skin consumes, as it can lead to skin cancer. Thus, you must apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or above when you are exposed to direct sunlight.
Besides these, you can also rely on supplements to improve vitamin D levels in the body. However, they must be prescribed by the physician or the dentist and should not be taken without consultation. Excess of vitamin D can also cause side effects, so you must be careful.
Conclusion
If you have been affected by dental problems because of vitamin D deficiency, you need to make sure that you get the required daily dose of the nutrient. Dentists in Hope Island suggest eating a healthy diet and going out once a day with sunscreen to keep dental problems at bay.
