If you or a loved one are considering dental implant treatment, you might have a “nutrition nut” chirping in your ear about vitamin D. They’re onto something, because vitamin D has a positive effect on dental implant treatments. Shocked? Keep reading to find out the facts and how you can help your body with recovery.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
A dental implant has two parts: a post and a restoration. You’re already familiar with the restoration – this is the tooth-like crown, bridge, or denture that will be artfully crafted to match your other teeth and seamlessly fill the gap. This custom-made restoration is fixed to a dental implant post, which anchors it to your jawbone. The post is essentially like a natural dental root.
This is why the dental implant recovery period can be lengthy. Your bone needs time to heal and grow so it can properly integrate with your implant.
What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?
As it turns out, vitamin D promotes bone growth by enabling your body to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Our bones and teeth contain about 99% of your body’s calcium and 85% of your body’s phosphorus. This is why you might’ve heard that calcium and phosphorus rich foods build strong bones. However, even if you drink as much milk as you can stomach, it won’t do a thing if your body can’t absorb these two minerals effectively.
If you’re deficient in vitamin D, your jawbone will have a hard time getting the calcium and phosphorus it needs to grow. And if it’s struggling to grow, it will struggle to integrate with your new dental implant. This could lead to a longer recovery period, or cause complications for your new smile.
How Can I Get More Vitamin D?
You obviously want your dental implant treatment to go as smoothly as possible, so here are some things that can help you stock up on vitamin D:
- Supplements
- Fish liver oil
- Salmon, mackerel, and sardines
- Egg yolks
- Bananas
- Mushrooms
- Red meat
- The sun
These are all good sources of vitamin D, but there is one source that stands above the others: the sun. Simply standing out in the sunshine for as little as 10 minutes is enough to give you a full dose. If you needed an excuse to book a flight to Florida, your dental implant treatment could be a valid one.
If you’re already reaching for your phone to say “You were right about vitamin D!” don’t forget to give your dentist a call! They can give you more recommendations for ensuring a safe, smooth recovery process after your dental implant treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Lee is an accomplished dentist specialized in implant dentistry. He’s even done original research on the subject, so if you have questions about dental implants, he has answers! You can reach his office at 740-236-9392 or visit his website for more information.