Sunlight is Good for Your Mouth and Body

You’ve heard you should protect yourself from the sun to lower your risk of melanoma. Although too much sun can be bad for your health, sunlight is essential to your wellbeing because it is a vital source of vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D to function correctly. Not only is it crucial for your immune system, but it also hinders cancer-causing genes and improves your dental health. Your holistic dentist in Southlake encourages you to spend some time in the sun for a healthy mouth and body.

Why Do I Need Vitamin D?

The sun’s UV rays promote the health of your bones, blood cells, and your immune system. It also allows your body to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Although you can get vitamin D from food or supplements, there’s no substitute for what’s received via sunlight.

The right level of vitamin D in your blood is one of the biggest influencers of a healthy immune system. It allows your body to react quicker to fight off infections and illness. Overall, it strengthens your body, including your bones.

Vitamin D works with your calcium absorption to enhance your bone density. If you consume too much calcium and don’t have enough vitamin D to regulate it, it can lead to plaque in your arteries and veins. Research also shows proper vitamin D levels can also ward off certain cancers, such as those that affect the colon, breast, or prostate. Even some autoimmune conditions are linked to inadequate vitamin D levels.

Your smile can also suffer the effects of low vitamin D because it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial roles in the mouth. If you don’t have enough vitamin D, it can destroy the good bacteria in your mouth and lead to an increase in bad bacteria. This can raise the risk of several dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease.

How Much Sun Do I Need?

There is not a specific amount of time you should spend in the sun each day because it varies based on several factors, such as your skin tone, age, diet, and location. Ideally, you should have around 50 to 60 ng, but most Americans have around 10 to 20 ng because of the amount of time that’s spent indoors. On average, it’s recommended you get 5 to 15 minutes of sun if you’re light-skinned and up to 30 minutes if you’re dark-skinned. You can stay out longer; however, you’ll need to wear sunscreen.

Improve Your Health with Sunlight

Spending a few minutes each day in the sun will have a significant improvement in your overall health. Grab your sunscreen and head outdoors to invest in a healthy mouth and body.

About Dr. Preetha Thomas

Dr. Preetha Thomas earned her DMD degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She has also completed additional training in many areas of specialty, including orthopedics, orthodontics, and oral pathology. She creates personalized treatment plans to improve her patients’ overall wellbeing through healthy smiles. If your dental health has suffered the effects of low vitamin D, contact our office today for an appointment.