How A Little Sunshine Helps Our Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment
WHO DOESN’T LOVE A LITTLE SUNSHINE? Not only does it feel fantastic, but it also has numerous health benefits. Sunshine improves our mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies.
Vitamin D Is Important To Our Healthy Smiles
While you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, healthy teeth and gums are especially important. Vitamin D supports oral health in two ways:
It Helps Our Bodies Absorb And Utilize Calcium
One of vitamin D’s major functions is moderating other vitamins and minerals—including calcium. Calcium fortifies our teeth and supports jaw and bone strength. That’s why we fortify milk (a great source of calcium) with vitamin D.
This is referenced in numerous studies that have shown greater cavity risk for people living in regions with little sunlight… Sometimes as much as double the risk.
It May Help Fight Periodontal Disease
Vitamin D also functions as an anti-inflammatory. Periodontal disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults, and it’s a result of inflammation of the gums due to harmful bacteria.
Several studies have found that people who have high levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience bleeding gums and gum detachment.
Getting Our Daily Dose Of Vitamin D
It doesn’t take long to get the vitamin D your body needs from the sun. But for those times when you can’t get daily sunlight, you can also obtain vitamin D from these foods:
- egg yolks or fatty fish
- fortified milk, soy milk, orange juice and cereals
- vitamin D supplements
Grab A Little Sunshine Today!
Of course, we need to be careful about how much sun exposure we’re getting. You don’t need to sunbathe all day to get the vitamin D your body needs! Take this blog post as an excuse to go outside today and drink up a few rays.
