Since you were a child, you’ve probably heard about the importance of calcium for strong bones and teeth. However, did you know that Vitamin D also plays a key role. In fact, your efforts to get enough calcium in your body are all in vain if you don’t also consume Vitamin D. These two nutrients work hand in hand.
The Role of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is known for helping calcium get absorbed properly. Without Vitamin D, your body can struggle to break down calcium, which renders it inefficient for your body to use for stronger bones and teeth. When adding Vitamin D, however, the process of calcium breakdown and absorption is smooth and easy. For this reason, both calcium and vitamin D have been proven to help prevent bone loss throughout the body. When translating these benefits for your oral health, this means lower rates of tooth loss!
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?
According to recent studies, nearly 42% of the US population is deficient in Vitamin D! Are you among those who are struggling to meet the daily recommendations for this Vitamin?
The American Dietetic Associations’ daily value for both calcium and vitamin D include the following:
- 2,500 mg/day of calcium
- 1,000 units/day of vitamin D
How to Get More Vitamin D
Don’t worry. Adding Vitamin D to your daily consumption isn’t difficult. There are plenty of natural ways to meet the daily values, such as:
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, etc)
- Soy and rice drinks
- Salmon and other fatty fish
- Almonds
- Dark green leafy vegetables
At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we recognize the strong link between nutritional health and oral health. To help you avoid the need for dental implants or other forms of teeth replacement, we encourage you to combine Vitamin D with your calcium intake. Keeping your natural teeth is always our top priority!
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
