Vitamin D Deficiency and What it Means for Oral and Overall Health

Have you ever heard of vitamin D being referred to as nature’s “sunshine vitamin?” That’s because it’s both a hormone and a vitamin that can either be absorbed through the foods you eat or produced naturally by the body in response to sunlight. However, sometimes it’s hard to get as much vitamin D as our bodies need, especially as we age past 60 when there can be a natural reduction in how much of it you can produce.

Deficiencies Are More Common Than You Might Think

When our diet and lifestyle fail to provide our body with an amount of vitamin D, a deficiency is very possible. According to this article written by the American College of Healthcare Sciences, intake of the vitamin might range from 4.13 to 5.3 micrograms per day. The average American is generally consuming 4.9 micrograms a day making nearly all Americans at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

How Vitamin D is Connected to Your Oral Health

Another article published in May shows vitamin D levels have been gaining more attention to oral health professionals such as your Wilmington holistic and biological dentists. It says “during growth and adulthood, vitamin D deficiency is associated with a wide variety of oral health disorders and impaired vitamin D synthesis may expedite some of these conditions.”

In younger patients, a lack of vitamin D can negatively affect tooth mineralization of dentin and enamel defects. The article also says that vitamin D deficiency “has been associated with higher prevalence of periodontitis and gingival inflammation.”

Good Sources of Vitamin D

As your holistic and biological dentists in Wilmington, we always ensure that we take the total body approach to dental care, focusing on more than just your mouth. We also care about what you put in your mouth or body in terms of nourishment. Do you know what some good sources of vitamin D might be? Take a look at this list:

Egg yolks
Butter
Milk
Sprouts
Sunflower seeds
Mushrooms
Yogurt
Caviar
Herrings
Sardines
Salmon
Fish liver oils

Interesting fact: Most dairy products are fortified with vitamin D so if you’re lactose intolerant or don’t consume these products you might be running low.

The best way to know if your oral health is on the right track is to visit our holistic and biological dental office in Wilmington for a consultation and conversation. Schedule some time to meet with us and discuss your options. Contact us online or by phone at (302) 239 -1641.

About The Author

Dr. Lewis Yu

Dr. Lewis Yu, who graduated with a dental degree, completed a two-year postgraduate oral surgery training in New York City and Pennsylvania. Board-certified in Naturopathic Medicine and Integrated Biological Dental Medicine, he practiced in Philadelphia and New Jersey before joining All About Smiles. Dr. Yu is affiliated with the Holistic Dental Association and Talkinternational.com.

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