Everyone learns about the importance of calcium and vitamin D to the health of our bones and teeth. As the years have gone by, this importance has been reemphasized as our understanding of Vitamin D. A small amount of vitamin D has been connected to inflammatory disease and low bone density. It has also been connected to the appearance of periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Making sure you get sufficient Vitamin D is the only way to avoid the risk of developing this condition. Research has revealed even more that vitamin D can accomplish.
The Effects Of Vitamin D On Periodontal Disease
Gum disease, also known as PD or periodontal disease, occurs when infection sets into the gums. It is a condition that most frequently impacts those who have insufficient oral hygiene practices. As the bacteria begin to attack the gums, they become irritated and inflamed. This, in its turn, makes your gums more susceptible to bleeding. When your gums bleed, it means you’ve created open wounds that bacteria can invade. When streptococcus mutans invade the gums, gum disease results. This infection can ultimately lead to the infection getting beneath your gumline, causing damage to your dental roots, gums, and even jawbone.
Vitamin D and Periodontal Disease
Nearly 2,000 genes within our body interact with Vitamin D. Part of these interactions play a role in countering gum disease. This is accomplished thanks to:
- Antimicrobial Properties – Defensins and cathelicidins are two peptides that can be found in Vitamin D. These peptides have the ability to battle bacteria and microbes that form in our oral cavity. Matrix metalloproteinases are another element that occurs with periodontal disease that can be countered by Vitamin D.
- Maintains Bone Strength – The strength of our bones is highly dependent on getting sufficient Vitamin D. Both bone resorption and bone formation are boosted through an adequate amount of Vitamin D. Resorption is critical to the body’s ability to form new bone and remodel existing bone.
- Improves Periodontitis – Studies have demonstrated that periodontal disease develops slower in the presence of Vitamin D. This important nutrient has also been shown to aid in healing the damage that results while preventing it in the first place.
The combination of calcium and vitamin D produces significant benefits for our overall health. The accumulation of tartar and debris on teeth is slowed, gingival bleeding and pocketing are reduced, and tooth stability is boosted. The use of supplements for calcium and vitamin D has been shown to be effective in treating periodontitis.
Sufficient Vitamin D Ensures You Experience the Benefits
Thankfully it’s relatively simple to get enough Vitamin D to boost your oral health. Spending enough time in the sun, just a few hours a week, can meet some or all of your needs. If this is impractical for you, you can make use of Vitamin D supplements to boost your intake. Finally, you can change your diet to include foods that improve the available Vitamin D. Speaking to your dental provider will be a great step to providing steps to improve your oral health.