Dental Currents March 2008

Vitamin D for Dental Health

Vitamin D has been receiving a lot of attention recently. Known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” because our body manufactures it on exposure to sunlight, it is a key nutrient in the formation of strong bones and teeth. It does this in large part by enhancing the absorption of calcium. It is part of a growing list of nutrients being recognized for their benefits of optimal levels rather than just minimal levels. Minimum levels of vitamin D are only enough to prevent rickets or bowed legs.

Optimal levels, in most cases, are only achievable by nutritional supplementation. They show benefits in reducing the risk of some common cancers and multiple sclerosis to diabetes, hypertension and age-related muscle weakness. Even the Canadian Cancer Society now advises all Canadian adults to take 1,000 IU of D a day during fall and winter, and older and darker-skinned people to take this much year round. So much for the idea that you can get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat!

Many of us are old enough to remember taking a Cod liver oil capsule every morning when we were growing up. Rich in vitamins A and D plus Omega 3 fatty acids, these little gems did great things for the boomer generation. Then Newfoundland ran out of cod!! Not only that, the skin cancer scare came along and we started covering up and wearing sunscreen to limit exposure to the nasty sun. This hindered our potential to produce vitamin D. Seems we overdid that too, so now vitamin D deficiency is showing up a lot more.

Dentists see it as increased decay in young people’s teeth and more susceptibility to periodontal disease later in life. We all know diabetes is on the rise, which is linked to periodontal disease.

Then there are the famous flu shots that our government recommends to everyone. When do we get the flu? Winter time mostly. When do we get the least sunlight? Winter time mostly. Who are most at risk? Seniors or the ones who get the least sun exposure, especially in winter. Is the flu related to vitamin D deficiency? Dr. John Cannell is a physician who observed a direct co-relation between Vitamin D levels and influenza If you don’t get the flu shot, ( I don’t) then supplement with vitamin D for extra protection.

Then there is the “French Paradox”. Everyone wondered how the French could eat a fatty diet and still not have high cholesterol levels. Their high consumption of red wine was credited with making the difference. Drilling down into the research, one finds that only the people in southern France had lower cholesterol while those in the north, who consumed the same amount of wine, had the same cholesterol levels as the Irish who consumed more beer than wine. What else could it be? When sunscreen became more popular than bikinis in southern France, we found the answer. You guessed it—Vitamin D. Seems it helps the body metabolize fats much better which helps to improve our cholesterol levels.

Our ability to expose ourselves to sensible levels of sunshine so our skin can manufacture vitamin D varies throughout the year. Taking vitamin D as part of a multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplement on a year round basis makes a lot of sense. Extra may be necessary in winter, especially if you don’t get out much.

We can help you set up a convenient and balanced nutritional supplementation program for you and your family if you wish. The most important thing, however, is to start a program you can continue on a regular basis. Your dental and overall health will thank you!

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