Have you recently had your teeth replaced with dental implants? Congratulations – you’re very likely to enjoy your new teeth for decades or even a lifetime! Dental implants already have a high success rate, but there’s one way to boost their longevity that you may not have considered: vitamin D. Keep reading to learn from your dentist how this nutrient could make your dental implants in Tullahoma more successful and where to turn to raise your intake.
How Vitamin D Boosts the Success Rate of Dental Implants
Vitamin D benefits your health in two major ways. First, it aids in your body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorous, both of which help build strong bones and teeth. It also helps regulate the immune system, keeping it vibrant enough to combat infections. These two effects combine to improve the success rate of dental implants.
Improved Jawbone Integration
For a dental implant to last, it must merge with your jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, depends on your body’s ability to grow new bone in the area of your jaw where the implant was placed. Because vitamin D helps your body absorb phosphorous and calcium, your jawbone will have an easier time bonding with the implant. As a result, the odds of long-term dental implant success increase.
Healthier Gums
Dental implants rely on healthy gum tissue for support. Gum disease is the most common reason why dental implants fail, as it may cause bacteria to destroy the bone keeping the implants in place. Not only does vitamin D improve your immune system response, but it also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In other words, vitamin D greatly reduces your risk of infections that could compromise your new smile.
Tips for Getting More Vitamin D
Fortunately, keeping your vitamin D intake elevated doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate more of the nutrient into your life:
- Spending time in the sun – Soaking up the sun’s rays helps your body produce vitamin D. For most people, getting about 20-30 minutes of sunlight per day should be more than enough.
- Eating foods rich in nutrients – Many foods naturally contain vitamin D. Examples include egg yolks, mushrooms, salmon, and canned tuna.
- Taking a daily vitamin D supplement – Your primary care physician can recommend the proper dosage of over-the-counter supplements to take as pills, capsules, gels, and more.
By providing your body with sufficient vitamin D, you can increase the odds your dental implants will stand the test of time. For more tips on maximizing the lifespan of your dental implants in Tullahoma, be sure to ask your dentist!
About the Author
Dr. John Petty became a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry after attending over 500 hours of continuing education courses and passing a rigorous written exam. He has twice served as the General Chairman of the Annual Session of the Tennessee Dental Association. He is proud to see his son, Jackson, following in his footsteps as a dentist. If you are considering replacing one tooth or all of them with dental implants, step one is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Petty on his website or call (931) 454-9499.