Bodywise

The Smile That Shines

Sunlight and dental health—the vitamin D connection

By Lynelle Deroo

Your smile says a lot about your health; keeping it bright goes beyond brushing and flossing. Believe it or not, sunlight plays a surprising role in healthy teeth, gums, and jawbones. By helping your body produce vitamin D, a little sunshine can strengthen your oral health naturally. Let’s dive into how sunlight supports your smile and what you can do to make the most of it.

When sunlight touches your skin, it triggers vitamin D production, a nutrient essential for absorbing calcium and keeping bones—including your jaw—strong. Vitamin D is also found in your gums and other oral tissues, where it helps fight inflammation and supports your immune system. This is why low vitamin D levels are linked to higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and jawbone loss. Thankfully, some sun exposure can help keep these problems at bay. Here’s an explanation of how sunshine contributes

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References

1. Tian-Tian Wang et al., “Cutting edge: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a direct inducer of antimicrobial peptide gene expression,” The Journal of Immunology 173, no. 5 (Sept. 1, 2004): 2909–12.
2. Philippe P. Hujoel, “Vitamin D and dental caries in controlled clinical trials: Systematic review and meta-analysis,” Nutrition Reviews 71, no. 2 (Nov. 9, 2012): 88–97.
3. Eglė Jagelavičienė et al., “The Relationship between Vitamin D and Periodontal Pathology,” NIH, nih.gov, June 12, 2018.
4. Ibid.
5. J. D. Bashutski et al., “The impact of vitamin D status on periodontal surgery outcomes,” Journal of Dental Research 90, no. 7 (May 9, 2011): 1007–12.
6. Michael F. Holick, “Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 80, no. 6 (Dec. 2004): 1678S–88S.
7. Mathias Wacker and Michael F. Holick, “Sunlight and vitamin D: A global perspective for health,” Dermato-Endocrinology 5, no. 1 (Jan. 2013): 51–108.
8. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium, Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D, ed. A. Catharine Ross, Christine L. Taylor, Ann L. Yaktine, et al. (National Academies Press, 2011).
9. Healthline, “What vitamin D dosage is best?” healthline.com, Dec. 20, 2024.

Image credits

About the author

Lynelle DeRoo is an international speaker, dental hygienist, and author dedicated to transforming global dental care through her organization, Brush for Life, Inc., and innovative healthcare solutions. For further information, mission trips, instruction, recommended product links, and contact, go to lynellederoo.com.