Strong bones make for strong dental implants, so if you’re considering this highly advanced tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to get plenty of vitamin D. While this powerhouse of a nutrient won’t necessarily guarantee the success of your treatment, it will support your jawbone, give your immune system a boost, and help with recovery. To learn more about how vitamin D can benefit you during dental implant treatment, keep reading!
The Power of Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps promote osseointegration – the process where biocompatible materials (like a dental implant post and your jawbone) fuse together. This is how dental implants are able to stay firmly rooted in your smile, so it makes sense that a bone-fortifying nutrient is associated with higher rates of treatment success. In addition to strengthening your jawbone, vitamin D also:
- Encourages faster healing
- Helps prevent infections
- Contributes to regulating inflammation (which is linked to gum disease, the most common cause of implant failure)
Basically, it helps your body function more efficiently so you can stay healthy and avoid complications during dental implant treatment.
Excellent Sources of Vitamin D
Many people (particularly in the North) are deficient in vitamin D, so if you need to increase your intake, know that you’re not the only one by any means. Pharmaceutical supplements can be an excellent way to maintain good vitamin D levels, but you should always talk to your doctor before taking anything over-the-counter. Other good sources include:
- Sunshine – just 20 minutes outdoors on a bright day is enough for a “full dose” of vitamin D.
- “Fortified” cereal or milk.
- Oily fish like salmon and trout.
- Egg yolks.
If you’re considering replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, check your vitamin D levels. It could make a huge difference for your smile!
About the Practice
Dr. Ali and Dr. Kraipak (or “Dr. K,” as she’s known to her patients) understand the importance of having a reliable tooth replacement. After all, it can be difficult to enjoy meals and conversations when there are gaps in your smile! To help ensure the success of their patients’ dental implant treatments, they partner with the best oral surgeons in the area and take a proactive approach to dental health. If you’d like to talk about what you need in order to support dental implants, contact their office at 469-256-7098.