Getting plenty of sunshine, while wearing sunblock, is essential for your overall wellbeing. Did you know that it is also extremely important for the health of your smile? The sun, along with certain foods, provides us with vitamin D, which is crucial for the health of your bones, including your teeth. Unfortunately, an estimated one billion people in the world have a vitamin D deficiency, which can cause rickets in children, and bone pain caused by osteomalacia in adults. Your dentist in Gainesville shares why getting plenty of sunshine is so critical for your oral health.
How Does the Sun Help My Teeth?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that you get through sun exposure. This is what allows your body to absorb calcium, which is well-known for keeping teeth healthy. In fact, your teeth are made up of it. If you didn’t get any vitamin D, you would suffer from an extreme calcium deficiency. This would cause a number of issues throughout your body. As for your smile, you could experience:
- Tooth decay
- Underdeveloped teeth
- Gum disease
In other parts of the body, vitamin D helps you by:
- Reducing depression
- Increasing ability to lose weight
- Reducing your chance of developing the flu, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease
- Facilitating normal immune function and bone growth
How Often Should I Be in the Sunshine?
The best way to absorb vitamin D is through regular sun exposure. The UVB rays are the most intense midday, especially during this summer. This is the best time to get sun exposure because it takes less time for you to have a sufficient amount of vitamin D.
Your skin tone and sensitivity determine how long you should be spending time in the sun. Melanin in the skin, which makes it darker, protects against UVB damage. The more melanin you have, the longer you need to spend in the sun to get the vitamin D that you need. For Caucasian adults, anywhere from 10-30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times a week is recommended. Studies show that people who have darker skin tones may need anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours more.
How Else Can I Get Vitamin D?
Certain foods and beverages are good sources of vitamin D, including:
- Fortified cow’s milk and cereal
- Egg yolks
- Fatty fish and other seafood
- Mushrooms
- Dietary supplements
Sunshine is the best way for you to get the vitamin D that you need for your teeth and other parts of your body. By spending more time outside and including some of these foods into your daily routine, your smile will thank you.
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel A. Nossa is a family, cosmetic, and implant dentist located in Gainesville, FL. Since he graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, he has completed many hours of continuing education, attending renowned institutions like the Dawson Academy and the University of Florida. Dr. Nossa is part of a variety of professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and many others. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website, or call (352) 332-8133.