Spending More Time Outside Can Benefit Your Smile – Here’s How

A healthy smile requires more than just proper dental care. Did you know that there are other ways you can maintain good oral health? It might sound unusual, but spending more time outside can promote strong, healthy teeth! Read along as your dentist in Murphy explains how just an additional hour or two outside can have a significant impact on your smile.

How Vitamin D Benefits Oral Health

Most people like to spend their summer days outside, basking in the sunlight and enjoying the beautiful weather. While it certainly is relaxing, it can also have many benefits for your oral and bodily health. Vitamin D is an essential mineral that you get through sun exposure, allowing your body to regulate calcium and phosphate levels. It plays a crucial role in strengthening your teeth and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Since your teeth and jawbone are mostly comprised of calcium, a lack of vitamin D can cause your mouth to suffer from calcium deficiency. That can lead to underdeveloped teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease. Plus, the mineral helps manage gum inflammation which can also lower your risk of disease.

How to Increase Your Vitamin D Levels

Do you want to try and keep your vitamin D levels up? Here are some lifestyle and dietary changes you can make to achieve that.

Lifestyle

Good old-fashioned sunlight provides nearly all the vitamin D intake your body needs. Getting at least 30 minutes of natural sunlight per day is a great source of this mineral. Be sure to keep your face and arms exposed or your body won’t convert vitamin D! It’s also worth noting that too much time in the sun can have negative effects. Avoid being out for an extended period and lather up with sunscreen to lower your risk of sunburn and cancer.

Diet

It can be challenging to catch some rays during the winter months or on rainy days. Luckily, you can nourish your body with other rich sources of vitamin D. You should have one to two servings of the following foods per day:

• Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel)
• Egg yolks
• Butter, yogurt, and cheese (from pasture-raised animals)
• Fortified cow’s milk
• Fortified cereal
• Mushrooms
• Red meat

As you can see, an extra boost of vitamin D can significantly benefit your oral health. By adjusting your lifestyle habits and diet, you can increase your levels and enjoy a bright, healthy smile for many years to come!

About the Practice

At Murphy Family Dentistry, we’ve helped families achieve and maintain their best smiles since 2000. We value oral health education to help our patients understand their treatment options and make confident, informed decisions about their dental care. If you have any questions about how going outside can benefit your smile, our dental team is more than happy to answer them. Visit our website or call (972) 516-2928 to schedule an appointment and speak to a dental professional.