Vitamin D has some fantastic benefits that our body needs to ensure strong, healthy bones. This vitamin works to reduce the risks of osteoporosis as we age, reduce the risk of bone fractures, and, most of all, maintains strong enamel for happy teeth. It can even hold off tooth decay in its earliest stages by strengthening our bones by refortifying the enamel with the minerals it needs to maintain that smooth complexion. But did you know that vitamin D can potentially help assist in preventing gum disease and periodontal disease? Vitamin D plays many essential roles, and we’re here to dive into the details of how vitamin D helps you maintain good oral health and healthy pink gums.
How Vitamin D Battles Against Gum Disease
Bleeding gums and tenderness are often the first signs of gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease. Periodontal disease refers to the more advanced stages of gingivitis and occurs when bacteria buildup throughout the mouth attacks the gums so severely that it causes the gums to recede. Gum disease affects nearly 47% of all adults over the age of 30. The destructive bacteria that causes this disease can impact our ability to absorb nutrients and maintain strong, healthy bones, increasing the likelihood of tooth loss.
So, where does the power of vitamin D come into play? Vitamin D has been reported to affect the pathogenesis of periodontal disease through a process called immunomodulation, or changes in the body’s immune system. Vitamin D’s ability to boost the immune system’s properties is often why many people who suffer from a vitamin D deficiency can become more prone to chronic illnesses as they age. Vitamin D also attempts to increase bone density, reduce bone reabsorption back into the system, and help fight off agents that cause diseases and infections, such as periodontal disease.
The article, published under the Medicina peer-reviewed scientific journal, researchers go into the more specific factors related to vitamin D’s properties and its ability to reduce the risk of periodontal disease, and contains the following properties:
- Fibroblasts and periodontal cells use Vitamin D as a defense and be an effective anti-microbial against Acintobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
- Vitamin D has proven effective against Acintobacillus in concentrations above 90-100nmol/L in blood plasma.
- Vitamin D can reduce the presence of reduced bone density. This serves to reduce the risk of chronic periodontal disease developing.
How Vitamin D Can Protect Your Oral Health
Vitamin D can be attained in many ways; eating dairy products with sufficient amounts of vitamin D, gaining at least 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight each day or a few times per week, and taking dietary supplements under the supervision of your physician or dietitian. If you believe that you may have early warning signs of gum disease, then it’s important to speak to your dentist and schedule an appointment for more information about treatments.