Medically reviewed on August 1, 2022 by Karen Janson, M.D. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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If you’re looking to protect your pearly whites for the long run, vitamin D plays a major role—particularly when it comes to bone, muscle, and teeth health.
But can low vitamin D levels affect your teeth negatively? The short answer is yes—but there’s much more to unpack when it comes to the link between vitamin D (specifically vitamin D3) and dental health.
Below, we’ll explore the essential role vitamin D plays in dental development and maintenance. Additionally, we’ll investigate the long-term effects of vitamin D deficiency, where to find vitamin D supplementation, and what you can do to protect your teeth, keeping them brighter, stronger, and longer.
You know there’s a correlation between dental health and vitamin D—but how exactly does it work?
Vitamin D is used in various bodily processes, including: [1]
Most notably for those considering their dental health, vitamin D is responsible for the process of calcium absorption, providing this crucial mineral to your teeth.
An inadequate amount of any vitamin can lead to serious health effects, and vitamin D is no different. If you’re concerned about the potential for vitamin D deficiency, it’s crucial to know the warning signs.
To help you keep tabs on the health of your teeth, consider these common symptoms that could be indicative of a vitamin D deficiency: [2]
Additionally, children at risk of vitamin D deficiency may experience developmental dental issues, including tooth enamel defects and improper tooth mineralization. In some cases, childhood vitamin D deficiencies can result in long-term dental issues that extend into adulthood. By taking the proper preventative measures and ensuring adequate vitamin D consumption, you can directly protect children against dental issues as their teeth begin to develop.
To ensure your teeth are getting the vitamin D they need to stay strong and supported, you can look to one (or all) of the following sources: [3]
For reference, most adults are recommended 15 micrograms of vitamin D per day, and those over 70 should up their dosage to 20 micrograms a day for maximal benefit. [4]
It’s important to note that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that your body stores vitamin D in your fat cells for use over time. As such, it is possible to ingest too much vitamin D, particularly via supplements, sometimes resulting in unpleasant side effects, including:
When consuming vitamin D supplements, be sure to follow all recommended dosing instructions, and never consume more than your daily limit. If you’re noticing some unusual side effects and are concerned about their relationship to vitamin D, consider consulting with your healthcare provider or using home testing as a resource to get a clearer picture of what’s going on in your body.
Brushing, flossing, and vitamin D are all key components of good oral health. But lower vitamin D levels can cause many dental health issues, including tooth loss, gum inflammation, tooth decay, and more. You can tell when your teeth feel gritty, dirty, and in need of a little care, but determining your body’s vitamin D levels is a whole different story. That’s where Everlywell comes in.
The Everlywell Vitamin D Test can provide you with fast, accurate information about vitamin D at a cellular level. Plus, you can feel at ease knowing that your tests are lab-certified, physician-reviewed, and totally private, delivering secure data straight to your device. Additionally, you can explore our vitamin D supplements to help boost your vitamin D today.
Can low vitamin D cause bone fractures?
Can you take too much vitamin D?
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