If you’re considering ways to replace your missing teeth, you might want to consider dental implants. Unlike alternatives like dentures or dental bridges, these restorations are embedded directly into your jawbone, which means they provide many unique advantages.
It’s natural to want to do everything you can to ensure the success of your artificial teeth. Many people are surprised to learn that getting more vitamin D can prevent potential implant failure. If you’re considering this treatment and are curious how, continue reading to learn more!
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a naturally occurring nutrient that helps your body build and maintain healthy bones and muscles, in addition to supporting your immune system. Specifically, it helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorous from the foods you eat to strengthen your bones. Without enough of it, your bones and joints can suffer. You might even develop conditions like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.
How Does Vitamin D Support Dental Implants?
Your dental implants must be surgically placed into your jawbone. Once they’ve been inserted, your bone tissue eventually fuses with the titanium rod through a process called osseointegration. Over a period of several months, your jaw must produce sufficient new bone growth to fully merge with the metal, which is what holds your restoration so firmly in place.
Vitamin D is essential in this process because your body needs it to generate enough new bone tissue to maintain your prosthetic. If your levels are too low, you might not successfully complete this recovery stage, and your prosthetic is more likely to fail. Furthermore, Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory that can help prevent gum disease, which can also put your implant at risk.
How Can I Increase My Vitamin D Levels?
A simple blood test can determine whether you have the right amount of vitamin D in your system. If you don’t, try not to panic. It’s easy to raise your levels! The simplest way is probably to take a walk on a sunny day. Your body produces vitamin D when it’s exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and 15 to 20 minutes outside with clear skies can give you your daily dose.
If you prefer to stay indoors, you can get vitamin D through supplements or certain foods. It can be found in fatty fish like salmon, trout, and mackerel, fortified foods like milk, yogurt, or breakfast cereals, and egg yolks and mushrooms.
Now that you know how to increase your vitamin D, you can take proactive steps to ensure your dental implant’s success!
About the Practice
Dentists at the Boston Smile Center have been helping patients improve their oral health for more than 35 years. Dr. Sasson and Dr. Shainhouse work together to offer a full range of services from one convenient location. They have the special training and state-of-the-art equipment to perform your dental implant surgery in the office, to streamline your procedure. Then, they provide a lifelike restoration that’s meant to last. If you’ve suffered from tooth loss and want a dental implant consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or call (617) 739-1017.