Vitamin D & Gingivitis

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Your body can manufacture the vitamin itself; all you need is 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine about three times a week. Good food sources of vitamin D include oysters, dairy products, fish and fortified cereals. Vitamin D not only helps your body absorb calcium, which promotes healthy bones and teeth, but it can also reduce inflammation, swelling and bleeding in gingivitis.

Gingivitis

Merck explains that gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums usually caused by bad brushing and flossing habits. After you eat, bacteria creates a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. That plaque likes to hang around your gums, fillings and dental work. If you don't properly remove the plaque within a day or so, it turns into tartar, which only a dental cleaning will remove. When the bacteria in the tartar starts to aggravate your gums, they turn an angry red and become loose and movable instead of tight against your teeth. Gingivitis makes your gums bleed easily when you brush, floss or have a dental cleaning.

Vitamin D

Since Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, it's important in keeping your bones and teeth strong. If you can't absorb enough calcium, you might experience loose teeth or even lose teeth. This sunshine vitamin may also help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including in the gums.

Research

In 2004, a group of researchers published a study in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" showing that people who had a high level of vitamin D in their blood had less severe gum disease than people with high levels of vitamin D. The next year, another study in the same publication showed that vitamin D may reduce the risk of gum swelling, bleeding and inflammation.

Recommendations

Brushing, flossing and antiseptic mouthwash are still the accepted ways to prevent gum disease. Regular visits to your dentist can help remove the tartar that brushing and flossing miss. Although you can't ditch your toothbrush in exchange for vitamin D supplements, you should be sure that you are eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from every major food group so that you are getting enough vitamin D, calcium and all the other nutrients you need to keep your smile healthy.