Even though your new dental implants boast an impressive 95 percent success rate, even a decade after placement, you’ll still need to do your part to help them achieve this milestone. While consistent healthy habits like regular brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for your six-month checkups and cleanings are all vital for their longevity, additional habits like incorporating more vitamin D into your diet can also be beneficial. Here’s why.
What is Vitamin D?
Although it is available in capsule or liquid form, vitamin D is a naturally occurring nutrient which can be found in a variety of foods including salmon, tuna, leafy greens, eggs, and dairy products. You can even generate your own through sun exposure, as UVB rays transform the cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D3. In fact, all it takes is about 15 minutes of midday sun exposure to your arms, legs, and face two to three times a week to maintain appropriate levels.
How Can Vitamin D Help My Dental Implants?
The reason vitamin D is so important with dental implants is because it is essential for bone development. This powerful nutrient is necessary for your body to absorb calcium, which can be extremely beneficial during the osseointegration period (where the post fuses with the bone) following dental implant surgery.
Additionally, vitamin D is instrumental in producing compounds which can lower oral bacteria levels, helping to keep your gums strong and reducing your risk of peri-implantitis, the leading cause of dental implant failure.
Remember, while it’s true that when it comes to dental implants, your newly restored smile already has excellent odds for success, but that’s only if you take care of it! Thus, to ensure your prosthetics have the best chance of survival, be sure to regularly brush, floss, visit your dentist, and get an adequate amount of vitamin D every day!
About Dr. Michitti
Dr. Frank Michitti earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has been passionate about continuing education ever since. In fact, today he holds the impressive title of “Top 1% Dentist” for achieving Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. He also regularly studies with the esteemed Dawson Academy in Florida. To schedule a consultation for dental implants at Lifetime Dental, visit our website or call us today at 413-786-4400.