Vitamin D is a key player in bone growth and metabolism as it promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorous. Additionally, vitamin D is vital for the health of the brain, cardiovascular system, respiratory tract, skin, and the immune and endocrine systems. 

It also plays an important role in the dental field in the development of teeth, promotion of the immune response to oral microbial infections, and healing after periodontal, oral, and implant surgery. It is estimated that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency have a prevalence as high as 50%–75% in the United States alone (especially during the winter months) and has been associated with numerous dental treatment complications including dental implant failure.

 Reasons why you might b vitamin D deficient 

There are several causes behind vitamin D deficiency in an individual. Here are some of the most common ones: 

  • Diet – When people don’t intake food, which is rich in vitamin D, it results in vitamin D deficiency. By taking a diet that consists of fish oil, orange juice, milk, fatty fishing, and beef liver, vitamin D deficiency can be cured.  People who do strict diets or are in vegan diets are often vitamin D deficient as they do not digest food items rich in it. It is important for them to take vitamin D supplements. 
  • Sun exposure – The most natural source of vitamin D if soaking in the sunlight. People who remain indoors or do not go out in the sun as often as the human body requires to have enough vitamin D, are deficient in it. According to general guidelines, it needs to be absorbed by face, palms, and hands at least twice a week. Only 15 minutes in one go is enough. 
  • Medical history – Vitamin D is only converted into its active form by the kidneys. People who suffer from kidney issues are at the risk of being vitamin D deficient. Other diseases such as Crohn’s diseases, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease can also be the cause of no/less absorption of vitamin D. 

How Vitamin D deficient effects dental treatments 

When a person is vitamin D deficient, it affects the dental treatments they get. 

  • Infections – When a person is vitamin D deficient, they are more prone to getting dental infections. Vitamin D deficiency affects the immune system and makes infections more common. Immune responses and antimicrobial protein synthesis by epithelial cells and immune are activated when a person has optimal levels of vitamin D. 
  • Dental implants – When an individual gets dental implants, the healing process becomes the most important thing. Dental implants are only beneficial for a person once the implants are healed properly. Otherwise, they will go to waste. With Vitamin D deficiency, bone metabolism gets affected which in return has an adverse effect on the healing process. According to countless studies, optimal serum levels of vitamin D help in the growth of bone tissue and its healing. 
  • Periodontal disease – Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. When an individual has lower levels of vitamin D, they are more susceptible to getting periodontal diseases. Studies have been conducted that show patients who went through periodontal surgery and were vitamin D deficient had worse results. 

Treatment

The first step for dental care providers when treating patients who lack vitamin D is to diagnose the patient as deficient, insufficient, or normal. Once determined, the next step is to advise them on the treatment that suits them best. According to the stats shared by the National Academy of Medicine in 2011, an intake of 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D is enough to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the general population. 

Once the vitamin D level has reached an optimal status, any surgery can be conducted on them. 

If you are planning to get dental implants and curing looking for the best dental implant dentist in Delaware County, PA, look no further than Havrilla Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants.  Located in Broomall, PA, attending to your comfort and concerns is our first priority.  Our mission is to provide you with the highest quality of periodontal and dental implant care in a warm and friendly environment.

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