Benefits of Vitamin D for Your Teeth

According to recent studies, vitamin D supports immunity, keeps bones strong, boosts mood and helps the brain stay healthy. Researchers have also found that vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining strong teeth and preventing decay. A new review of nearly 3,000 children discovered that vitamin D intake cut tooth decay in half. Although this review looked at studies of children, vitamin D is probably just as valuable for adult teeth.

According to Dr. Philippe Hujoel, the oral health sciences professor at the University of Washington, vitamin D is essential for calcification of teeth and guarding against decay. Because vitamin D supports a healthy immune system and keeps teeth strong, the body is more likely to fight off the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Getting enough vitamin D for healthy teeth doesn't have to be difficult. Several foods contain good amounts of this nutrient, including mushrooms, fish, eggs and fortified milk. Although vitamin D supplements are available, some researchers do not recommend them because they have not yet been proven safe and effective by large, well-constructed trials. According to our dentist in Los Angeles, it's also possible to increase the body's vitamin D levels naturally with exposure to sunlight. While sun exposure can be harder to get during the winter months, when light is lower and temperatures are colder, a combination of foods high in vitamin D with ample sun exposure during the warmer months is probably enough to keep teeth healthy. Also, because vitamin D levels are suppressed by phosphates contained in soft drinks, these beverages are best avoided.