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Vitamin D and Teeth: Sunshine Helps
Vitamin D and Teeth? Most people know that vitamin D is good for strong bones – but some how when it gets to our teeth – they forget to tell us how important it is to fight cavities and periodontal disease. We've all heard that the key to good dental care is to brush after every meal and floss regularly. But it seems that they left out the most important advice. Get your sunshine vitamin I don't know about you – but going to the dentist is not my favorite thing to do in the world. Personally, I'd rather soak up some rays, rather then have some dentist give me a root canal. If you agree – check out the following information.
It's pretty common for people to associate calcium with strong bones and teeth, but it's the Vitamin D that makes the calcium work. You need them both!. The calcium that is present in bones and teeth is constantly in a state of movement. The calcium gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream if levels are low, and it is put back into bones and teeth when levels are higher. When Vitamin D levels are low, any new calcium you are adding (via diet, multi-vitamins or supplements) will make it to your bones and teeth … and since your muscles needs calcium for proper functioning, your body will continue to siphon off calcium from your teeth and bones. As we age, vitamin D becomes an even more critical nutrient not only for bone health, but for healthy teeth. Over an extended period of time, low levels of Vitamin D can lead to weak teeth, periodontal diseases, or even osteoporosis.
Tufts University researchers undertook a study intended to measure the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplements on hip bone strength, and to see if the benefits to bone density gained by using supplements held over time. To address these questions, 145 healthy adults over age 65 received either a supplement that contained 500 mg calcium and 700 IU vitamin D or an inactive sugar pill, daily, for 3 years. Over the following 2 years, participants could elect to take calcium supplements, although they were not required to do so. Halfway through the original phase of the study and again at the five-year point, the participants were asked to report the number of teeth lost at some point during the study. The researchers were looking for a connection between intake of calcium and vitamin D and tooth loss. After accounting for other factors - like daily oral care and history of periodontal disease - that can affect tooth loss, they found that those who took calcium and vitamin D supplements for 3 years were about half as likely as others in the study to lose teeth. The same was true for those who continued to consume at least 1000 mg of calcium a day during the 2-year follow-up period. Several studies have found a link between low bone mineral density and tooth loss, and studies in animals have demonstrated that an adequate calcium intake can help prevent osteoporosis-like damage to jaw bones. Another study published in the July 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that evaluated 11,202 subjects 20 years of age or older found that, in both men and women over 50, lack of vitamin D significantly increased risk of periodontal disease, a common chronic inflammatory gum disease that is an important risk factor for tooth loss. Men with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D had a 61% higher risk of periodontal disease. Women with the least vitamin D in their blood had an even higher, 74% increased risk of periodontal disease.
For healthy teeth, fewer cavities and to prevent periodontal disease: Get more sunshine and take a good vitamin D3 supplement.
Vitamin D is important for good health and long-life. Here are some of the articles we've added to our website to give you a full picture of this important subject. Like other parts of this website its full of facts and useful advice. Vitamin D Deficiency: Causes and Risk Factors Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms and Risk Factors: Testing Your Vitamin D Levels: (know what to ask your doctor, or order a home testing kit) Getting Vitamin D from Sunshine Vitamin D Deficiency is linked to 2/3 rds of the medical problems in the US along with poor diet Vitamin D and Calcium: You Need Them Both Vitamin D is Important for Good Heart Health Vitamin D helps prevent 3 out 4 cancers Vitamin D deficiency can cause mobility problems
The information contained in this section of our web site is for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. While the publishers of this website believe that people have the right to understand their own bodies and to take care of their bodies as they see fit, we also respect the knowledge and experience of trained nutritionists, scientists, researchers, medical practioners, and others who can help you achieve the optimum health you are entitled to, and suggest you seek out and work with health specialists you can trust.
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