You may be excited about rebuilding your smile with dental implants. You likely already know there are many benefits and are excited to get good use out of them! Although this treatment has an impressive success rate, you need to do your part in keeping them strong for a lifetime. Having adequate levels of vitamin D can do just that. Keep reading to learn how it can be great for this tooth replacement option.
How Does Vitamin D Benefit Dental Implants?
This nutrient can be good for your overall health, but what it does can be great for your dental implants. For instance, it can increase your body’s absorption of calcium. This mineral keeps your bones strong since it’s used to increase their density by rebuilding or repairing their structure. This goes for your jawbone, where the implant posts are placed and fused.
Not only that, but vitamin D can also boost your immune system. It helps facilitate a faster response to infection, so you’ll be better fit to fight them off. Bacteria in your mouth can cause gum disease when not cleaned off properly. This is a big threat to dental implants as it affects the surrounding structures. Over time, it can even lead to the treatment failing.
What Can I Do to Get Healthy Levels of Vitamin D?
With the two major benefits above, you may be ready to get plenty of this nutrient. Thankfully, it’s as easy as getting some sunshine. When you expose your skin to it, your body can naturally make vitamin D. It’s recommended to get around 20 minutes of sunlight every day. Just be sure to avoid peak hours and drink plenty of water to stay safe!
Another option you can try is changing up your diet. There are plenty of foods that are rich in it, such as:
- Fortified orange juice
- Fatty fishes
- Mushrooms
- Dairy products, like milk, yogurt, and cheese
Plenty of patients also opt to take a daily supplement instead. However, there are so many brands out there, so take time to do a bit of research. You might want to consider talking to your dentist or physician to ensure you find the right one for you.
Now that you know the many benefits of vitamin D to your dental implants, consider doing some of the things above! When you add them to your routine and lifestyle, you’ll be able to have a full smile that’s healthier and stronger.
About the Author
Dr. Ajneesh “AJ” Chhabra earned his dental degree from the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. With over 10 years of experience, he is happy to give the San Antonio community the highest-quality care they deserve. Dr. AJ is proud to offer dental implants to replace missing teeth. By completing the entire process under one roof, you stay with a team you trust every step of the way. If you want to learn how you can better care for your tooth replacement, schedule an appointment or call his office at (210) 686-1082.