Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life because tasks that once were second nature, like eating and speaking, suddenly become much more challenging. Thankfully, your oral surgeon can provide lifelike dental implants to rebuild your smile and boost your confidence. These are the only replacement teeth that are embedded into your jawbone, which provides many unique advantages.
Although these restorations are incredibly resilient, they’re not invincible, and it’s possible for them to fail. However, having enough vitamin D in your system can keep them strong and healthy. Keep reading to learn more about how increasing your levels can support your artificial teeth!
What is Vitamin D?
This nutrient is a naturally occurring ingredient that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus from the foods you consume. These components are essential in building strong, healthy bones. Therefore, without enough vitamin D, your skeleton can become weak and frail, and it’s possible to develop medical conditions like osteoporosis.
How Does Vitamin D Support My Dental Implants?
Before diving into how vitamin D can contribute to successful dental implants, it’s important to understand how these restorations work. To place them, a qualified surgeon or dentist will insert a titanium rod into the space left behind by your missing tooth. This metal is used because it’s incredibly strong yet lightweight and isn’t rejected by the human body like most other metals. It functions like a root that triggers your jaw to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down or chew.
After your dental implant is placed, your jawbone fuses with it through a process called osseointegration. The new bone growth surrounds the pole until it is fully embedded, which is what makes these prosthetics so stable. Unfortunately, if you’re vitamin D deficient, your body might not be able to produce enough new bone tissue to successfully complete this stage, which can cause your implant to fail.
How Can I Get More Vitamin D?
Your surgeon can administer a simple blood test to determine whether you have sufficient vitamin D in your system. If you learn that you’re deficient, don’t lose hope! Raising your levels is relatively easy.
The simplest and perhaps most effective way is to take a walk on a bright, sunny day. Your body generates vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. You can get your daily recommended value by taking a 15 to 20-minute walk during peak hours.
If you prefer to stay in the a/c during the long summer days, then you can ingest vitamin D instead. It’s available as a supplement at most stores and pharmacies. Plus, it’s found naturally occurring in certain foods, such as fatty fish (like salmon or mackerel), canned tuna, egg yolks, and certain fortified options like dairy products and breakfast cereals.
Now that you know how to raise your vitamin D levels, you can take proactive steps to support your dental implants!
About the Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, you benefit from a team of board-certified oral surgeons who work together to deliver a wide range of dental procedures and reconstructions. They partner with a wide network of top local dentists and specialists and have earned a sterling reputation from both patients and doctors in the community. They combine a welcoming environment with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering world-class results. Plus, with four convenient locations, you’re sure to find an office close by. If you’re interested in dental implants and want a consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or call (571) 777-6501.