Vitamin D and Teeth: What’s the Connection?

Vitamin D benefits are very important for your teeth. Essentially, it increases the amount of calcium and phosphate you are able to absorb from the food you eat. The enamel (the outside covering of your tooth) is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the human body. Thus, it contains mostly calcium and phosphate.

By increasing the amount of calcium and phosphate your body is able to absorb, you can improve the strength of your teeth. Also, you can increase your teeth’s ability to fight demineralization from acid produced by bacteria. This same acid and bacteria are responsible for the development of cavities in our mouths. Your teeth’s natural resistance to bacteria that causes demineralization is improved by increasing absorption of calcium and phosphate. The calcium and phosphate give strength to our enamel. So, by getting enough “D” vitamin, you will be able to keep your enamel healthy and strong.

In your body, Vitamin D receptors are located in the immune system and in teeth. They work to bind to these receptors for this important vitamin. By binding to the receptors, you are able to increase the amount of good antimicrobial proteins in our bodies. This in turn helps to combat the bacteria that can cause dental cavities. In addition to this benefit, the cells in the teeth called odontoblasts that form dentin and enamel, contain vitamin D receptors, meaning that this vitamin may play a role in their functioning.

Are you taking enough of this vitamin?

Will supplementing with additional vitamins cause me any harm?

Consumption of this important nutrient, vitamin D in particular, is unlikely to cause harm. It it important to remember, however, that there should not be any harm as long as you take 10,000 IU per day. It is not fully understood if supplementation can help treat or prevent cavities in other age ranges. But, if you have dental caries the supplementation cannot hurt as long as you do not exceed the daily maximum. The benefits of taking this vitamin should NOT be taken in place of getting your cavities fixed, or instead of normal medication you take from your doctor’s office.

Any of our Lincoln Family Dentists would be happy to talk with you about supplements for your oral cavity health. And it is always advisable to check with your general doctor to make sure extra vitamin D will not impact any medications you are currently taking. Finding a family dentist that you trust is critical in maintaining excellent oral health. In addition, routine dental cleanings for adults and children, can be the key to early detection for any oral health problems.

• There is a definite link between Vitamin D consumption and dental caries.
• It has been found that supplementation of  this vitamin can reduce the rate of cavity development.
• Mothers who have low vitamin D levels are more likely to give birth to children who will develop cavities later on in life or have the condition of early childhood caries.
• Children with early childhood caries were found to have lower vitamin D levels then healthy children