Table of contents:
- The function of vitamin D is to maintain healthy teeth and mouth
- Best variety of vitamin D sources
- The key to maintaining healthy teeth and mouth
Vitamin D is one of the important vitamins that the body needs. The function of vitamin D, among others, is to help maintain bone strength and the immune system. However, it turns out that the benefits of vitamin D are also reflected in oral health. Unfortunately, about 50 percent of the world's population is reported to be deficient in vitamin D. What is the role of vitamin D in maintaining healthy teeth and mouth?
The function of vitamin D is to maintain healthy teeth and mouth
The body needs vitamin D for calcium absorption. Calcium (with the help of phosphorus and other minerals) plays an important role in building and strengthening dental tissue from within.
In addition to strengthening teeth, here are some other functions of vitamin D for oral health that you should know:
- Helps accelerate the healing process of cavities.
- Helps prevent gingivitis because vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Responsible for creating cementum that binds your teeth to the bones in your mouth.
As mentioned above, vitamin D also plays a role in regulating the immune system. The mouth is a soft nest for germs and bacteria that can cause disease. If your vitamin D intake is fulfilled properly, this will further strengthen your immune system against various diseases related to teeth and mouth.
Not only that. Without enough vitamin D, your body also can't form enough calcitriol compounds to absorb calcium from food. This means that your risk of developing dental problems, especially cavities and gum disease, can increase. What's more, the genes that control periodontitis (gum disease) are also regulated by receptors controlled by vitamin D.
Best variety of vitamin D sources
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. You don't have to "burn" your skin for hours to get this vitamin. The reason is that skin that is exposed to sunlight in a short time can produce the amount of vitamin D the body needs for daily needs.
Apart from the sun, you can also get vitamin D from food. Some foods that contain vitamin D include fish that contain good fats (such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring), egg yolks, red meat, and so on.
The key to maintaining healthy teeth and mouth
In addition to adequate intake of vitamin D, it turns out that there are many other simple ways you can do to maintain healthy teeth and mouth, namely:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed.
- Brushing your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush to avoid tearing of the gums and eroding tooth enamel.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day.
- Avoid eating sugary foods. There is no need to stop consuming sugar altogether to maintain healthy teeth and mouth, but you only need to limit consumption.
- According to the American Dental Association, the use of mouthwash that contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties can reduce the bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease.
- Routine consultations to the dentist at least every 6 months to perform dental cleaning and check teeth as a whole.
- Quit smoking. Besides being able to cause yellow teeth and your lips to blacken, smoking will also increase the risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
