Vitamin D and Dental Implants: A Little Sun Goes a Long Way
If you’re considering getting dental implants, you probably want them to work well and last for as long as possible! Since they’re often considered the best dental replacement out there, no one would blame you for seeking out every advantage available to you. Here’s one you can get just by sitting in your backyard for 20 minutes a day: vitamin D.
To learn more about how vitamin D can help your body support healthy dental implants, keep reading. You’ll see that a little sunshine goes a long way.
How Are Dental Implants Supported?
Few people have a reason to think about how teeth (and replacement teeth!) are supported in your mouth. It’s not like they hover in place, right? Right – your gums surround your teeth and are effective at holding them still, and though you can’t see it, each tooth has dental roots that anchor it to your sturdy jawbone.
Dental implants have an incredibly similar design. An implant post keeps your replacement nice and secure in your gums, and roots to your jawbone for superior stability and power. This means that to properly support dental implants, you need strong gums and a durable jawbone.
Vitamin D is Good for Your Bones
You may or may not have heard that vitamin D is good for your bones. This is because it promotes bone growth and gives them strength. Part of the dental implant process involves waiting for the biocompatible post to integrate with your jawbone – in other words, your jawbone needs to grow around the post. And, of course, if it’s going to hold your replacement tight and keep it from wiggling around, your jawbone had better be strong!
Fight Off Gum Disease with Vitamin D
Vitamin D is good for your gums, too. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help your squishy pink supports fight off gum disease. You see, dental implants can’t technically decay but will fall out if your gums have been thinned out by gum disease. This is also why you should maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing once per day, and visiting your dentist every six months for a stellar cleaning.
Where Does the Sun Come into Play?
Direct sunlight is simply the best source of vitamin D. Supplements and certain foods – like orange juice, salmon, and yogurt – can provide your body with vitamin D, but not nearly as much as the sun. 20 minutes in a warm sun-patch is all it takes to get a daily dose!
Getting more vitamin D in your system is an excellent way to help your body develop happy and healthy gums and bones – which will make you happy with your healthy dental implants. But don’t forget that your dentist is there to support you as well. If you want to know more tips and tricks for ensuring a successful dental implant treatment, don’t hesitate to give them a call!
About the Practice
At Fairfax Dental Group, we’re proud to have two fantastic dentists and a wonderful periodontist (gum disease specialist) on staff. Dr. Marjun Ayati is particularly skilled with dental implants, so if you have questions about promoting your treatment’s success, she has answers! To contact our office, call 703-560-6301.