Over the past year, the world we live in has changed significantly. Covid-19 has affected everyone, but what is one thing you have learned?
Living a healthy lifestyle has become a major component in many of our lives, but has oral health been overlooked? We are here to inform you of how to maintain proper oral health through sunshine, vitamin D, and other factors.
Sunshine and Oral Health
The pandemic has forced many people to transition to fully working from home. This has affected people in a variety of ways, but it seems that people who are working from home are not getting outside as much as they should be. Although many believe this isn’t an issue, there are detriment health issues associated with not getting enough sunlight. Several recent reports demonstrate a significant association between periodontal health and the intake of vitamin D. This meaning that when one has a lack of vitamin D they have lower bone mass and may be a risk factor for periodontal disease.
Do you know what Vitamin D is?
Vitamin D is, “a steroid hormone obtained mainly from exposure to sunlight, but also diet and dietary supplements. Foods naturally containing vitamin D are rare, and it can be found in oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, and herring) and oils from fish”. As you can see Vitamin D is essential to a healthy lifestyle but what exactly does it do to your body?
Some of the most important functions of vitamin D include:
- Maintenance of normal calcium and phosphate levels
- Promotion of calcium absorption (essential for healthy bones and teeth)
- Growth of cells and bones
- Reduction of inflammation, such as can be caused by infection or injury
All four of these are important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but how are vitamin D and oral health tied together?
Vitamin D and Oral Health
Oral and overall health have more in connection than you might think, and vitamin D is essential to a healthy mouth and body. With a lack of Vitamin D, your oral health can suffer. VDD (Vitamin D Deficiency) is highly implicated with oral diseases and has been linked with a higher risk of tooth defects, caries, periodontitis, and oral treatment failure. This means that a lack of Vitamin D can lead to increased chances of oral diseases or general health issues.
Looking for supplements to treat vitamin D deficiency?
- Oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in the form of a liquid, capsules, or tablets
- Oral calcium and vitamin D combined supplements (usually in the form of tablets)
- Intramuscular vitamin D replacement therapy (a course of injections)
These supplements are all effective, but there are also foods that contain high levels of vitamin D:
- Oily fish. Trout, salmon, herring, sardines, pilchards, kippers, tuna.
- Cod liver oil. This contains a large amount of vitamin D and should not be taken in conjunction with supplements containing vitamin D.
- Fortified dairy products. Dairy-based spreads and cheese can be fortified with vitamin D.
- Fortified soy products. Soy-based products such as soymilk and soy yogurt can be fortified with vitamin D.
- Natural animal products. Raw milk, meat, and egg yolk are sources of vitamin D.
As you can see vitamin D can be consumed in many different ways and it is crucial to maintaining both oral and overall health. By following the tips above we can improve the health and environments of our families and our communities.
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