Now that it is summer, you are probably spending some more time out in the sun. Whether you have been exercising outdoors or just relaxing outside, there are many different benefits to the rays that the sun provides. In fact, an estimated 1 billion people in the world suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, partially from not getting enough sunshine. This leads to problems like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. But it does not stop there. Vitamin D is extremely important for a healthy smile. Your dentist in Brampton shares why.
How Does the Sun Affect Teeth?
Spending time in the sun is the best way for your body to absorb vitamin D, which is important to regulate the amount of phosphate and calcium in the body. Calcium is a mineral that is known for keeping your teeth strong and healthy. If you did not absorb any vitamin D, you would have an extreme calcium deficiency. This would lead to a number of problems for your dental health including:
- Gum disease
- Underdeveloped teeth
- Tooth decay
But calcium deficiency would not just affect your smile. It leads to many other serious problems in the body such as:
- Depression
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle weakness
- Cancer
How Much Sunlight Do You Need?
The best time to go outside to soak in the sun is midday during the summer because this is when the UBV rays are most intense. Doing this several times a week can make a big difference in the amount of vitamin D and calcium your body has.
The amount of time required for a sufficient amount of vitamin D depends from person to person. This is because humans have all sorts of different skin tones that absorb the suns rays at a different pace. People with darker skin tones have more melanin, which protects from over exposure. Because of this, people who have a darker complexion require anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours more time than Caucasians who only require 10-30 minutes a few times a week.
How Else Can You Get Vitamin D?
Even though the best way to get vitamin D is from the sun, you can also get it through certain foods. Here are a few of them:
- Fatty fish and seafood
- Fortified cow’s milk
- Egg yolks
- Portabella mushrooms
- Dietary supplements
Getting the nutrients that you need is critical for your health. By spending more time out in the sun, you can help to ensure that you will have strong bones and healthy teeth!
About the Author
At Torbram Dental, Dr. Vince Fava and Dr. Zaid Babahami offer high quality, friendly dental care for patients of all ages. Dr. Fava earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Toronto and has been in private practice for over two decades. Dr. Babahami earned his first dental degree from the University of Baghdad and his second from the University of Western Ontario. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call +1 905-792-7163.