Rebuilding your smile with dental implants can take months. Obviously, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure that this extensive process is ultimately successful. One important step you can take is to make sure that your body is getting plenty of vitamin D. Just how can this particular nutrient make a difference when it comes to the success of your new teeth?
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are small, screwlike posts that can be inserted into precisely chosen spots in your jaw via surgery. Thanks to a process called osseointegration, the implant posts form a lasting bond with the surrounding bone. This allows them to act as artificial tooth roots, thereby giving your replacement teeth stability and chewing power that is on par with that of your natural teeth.
What Role Does Vitamin D Play in the Dental Implant Process?
Osseointegration involves the creation of new bone tissue, which requires two important nutrients: calcium and phosphorus. However, your body can only absorb these nutrients from the foods you eat if it has plenty of vitamin D. Consequently, a lack of vitamin D means a lack of calcium and phosphorus. Without these nutrients, osseointegration won’t take place as intended, and your dental implants will ultimately fail.
How Can You Make Sure Your Body Gets Enough Vitamin D?
To get the vitamin D you need for a successful dental implant process, you should make a point of spending more time outdoors. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, cholesterol is converted into vitamin D. In many cases, spending at least 20 minutes in the sun on a daily basis can go a long way toward meeting your vitamin D needs.
You can also adjust your diet so that it contains more foods that are high in vitamin D. Fatty fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms can all be excellent options. You can also check to see if your local grocery store offers foods that have been fortified with vitamin D, with cow’s milk and various breakfast cereals being common examples.
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, it may be a good idea to take supplements. However, before pursuing this option, you should talk to your regular physician. They can check to make sure the supplements won’t interact negatively with any medications that you might currently be taking.
As long as you take the right steps to ensure that you’re getting plenty of vitamin D, you can maximize your chances of a successful dental implant treatment, meaning you can confidently look forward to enjoying a sturdy, lifelike new smile.
About the Author
Dr. Ashli Cumberbatch is a graduate of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, and she underwent a one-year General Practice Residency at the Baltimore VA Hospital. She has also completed hands-on training for endodontics and periodontics. At My Riverdale Dentist, she offers in-house dental implant placement as a solution for tooth loss. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Cumberbatch at her practice in Riverdale Park by visiting her website, using her online booking tool, or calling (301) 927-8478.