Why Summer Sunshine Is Good for Your Teeth (Vitamin D)

Most of us enjoy summer because of the nice sunny weather and fun things to do outside. But did you know that summer can have health benefits, even for your teeth?

The vitamin D provided by the sun can actually help improve the health and strength of your teeth. So yes, sunshine is actually great for your smile.

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that our body needs in order to be healthy. A vitamin is simply a form of nutrition that helps our body build and maintain healthy tissue. Vitamin D is known for helping build strong bones as well as improving our immune system.

How Does Sunshine Help with Vitamin D Levels?

The natural way that our bodies get vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. The sun rays penetrate the skin, which then stimulates the body to produce vitamin D. If we do not get enough sunshine, then our bodies will not produce enough vitamin D. This can actually cause problems.

Unfortunately, as you know, too much sunshine can cause other problems such as skin cancer. Therefore, you want to balance out the amount of necessary and healthy sun versus too much sun.

Yes, you can get vitamin D without sunshine. But it is better to get it the natural way if you can. The other way to get vitamin D is through a nutritional supplement. Vitamin D is also found in common foods such as eggs and fish and fortified drinks and foods such as milk and cereal.

How Does Vitamin D Help Teeth?

Vitamin D health helps teeth in many ways, including:

• Vitamin D builds stronger teeth: For children who are growing, vitamin D is essential in building strong bones and teeth.
• Vitamin D helps the immune system: A common cause of tooth loss is gum disease, which is caused by an infection of bacteria that eat away at the gums and tooth enamel. A stronger immune system may help with battling gum disease.
• Vitamin D may reduce tooth decay: There is still much research to be done, but some studies already show that vitamin D may help reduce tooth decay. Adults with normal levels of vitamin D have a much lower risk of cavities. This risk of tooth decay may be lowered by as much as 50% according to one study.

Don’t We Already Get Enough Vitamin D?

Many people don't realize that vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in the United States despite the US being a first world country. This is because we live in a northern climate and many of us work inside and stay away from sunshine. More than 3 million cases of vitamin D deficiency occur each year in the United States, and some have estimated that at least 40% of Americans are suffering from at least a mild form of vitamin D deficiency.

Signs of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, and mood changes. You might also notice your gums bleeding more if lack of vitamin D is aggravating a case of gum disease like gingivitis.

Who Is Most at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Certain people are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. Because the primary way we get vitamin D is through our skin via the sun, our ability to absorb sunlight affects our body’s ability to create vitamin D.

The darker your skin is, the less ability your skin has to create vitamin D. This is simply an evolutionary trait, because people with darker skin tended to live closer to the equator where the sun was brighter. Therefore, historically, darker skinned people did not need as much sun to create vitamin D. However, if someone with dark skin moves to a northern climate where the sun is less bright, like North America, this impacts their ability to get enough vitamin D.

Other people who might be at risk of low vitamin D are people who are rarely or never outside, or people who constantly have sunblock on so that the sun cannot penetrate the skin.

Should I Get Tested for Vitamin D Deficiency?

Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is not routinely tested in most medical offices. However, you should be able to request a vitamin D test from your primary care physician. We recommend you do this if you have any signs of gingivitis or gum disease. It is also not a bad idea if you just want to check your vitamin D levels in general.

Why Is It Easier to Get Vitamin D in the Summer?

During the summer, the sun’s rays are stronger due to the tilt of the earth. This means that your body will generate more vitamin D when you are out in the sun. In fact, during the winter in the United States, it is almost impossible to get enough vitamin D just from the sun, in many areas, due to the distance the sun is from the earth.

Thus, while it is summer, it is a good idea to spend at least a little bit of time outdoors to generate some vitamin D. While not all this vitamin D will last you through the winter, it is good to build up a little bit of reserves. However, you do not want to overdo it, because you do not want to go in the opposite direction and encourage your skin to develop problems such as skin cancer.

How Much Time Should I Spend in the Sun to Get Vitamin D?

Typically, you will need to spend about 15 to 20 minutes at least three times a week to get enough vitamin D. You can also get your vitamin D through food and supplementation, and we recommend you talk to your primary care physician about how much you should take with the vitamin D supplement.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy This Summer

Would you like to have a beautiful smile this summer and all year round? Gardena Dental Care is a leading dental office in the South Bay that can help you maintain a gorgeous smile. Our state-of-the-art facilities and expert staff will help assess and manage any dental issue you might have. We offer preventative and restorative dentistry to create a beautiful healthy smile. You’ll want to get started with a consultation where we can review your teeth and develop a plan for your ongoing oral health.

Gardena Dental Care can help keep your teeth healthy and strong all year round. Contact us today at 424-295-7885 to schedule an appointment.