As a child, were you ever told that spending time outdoors was good for you? It’s true – at least when it’s nice and sunny. Soaking up the sun for a mere 15 minutes can significantly improve your health, and that goes for your oral health, too!
Now that winter chill and spring showers have given way to summer, it’s the perfect time to think about how some sunlight could benefit your teeth. Keep reading to dive into the details.
The Power of Vitamin D
The sun is a powerful source of vitamin D. This essential vitamin gets mentioned quite a bit in medical circles, but what does it actually do? Here’s the scoop:
- Promotes calcium absorption for strong teeth and bones
- Gives your cavity-busting immune system an extra kick
- Reduces chronic inflammation to help prevent gum disease
As you can see, these vitamin D benefits also apply to your general health. It’s a good reminder that general and oral health are connected, so it’s important to take care of both!
Serotonin and Dopamine: Mind Over Matter
Your mental health is valuable, too. Sunshine can help with this by prompting your body to produce more of these two chemicals:
- Serotonin, whichregulates healing and bone health, but also stabilizes intense emotions.
- Dopamine, whichis responsible for feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and motivation.
It’s all too easy to justify skipping out on a brushing and flossing session when exhaustion and depression are dragging you down. While sitting in the sun isn’t the same as talking to a therapist, boosting your serotonin and dopamine levels could help with your mood and motivate you to take care of your pearly whites. You might even find the task more rewarding after a good sunlight session.
No Rainy-Day Snoozes
On a similar note, it’s much easier to venture out of the house for a professional cleaning and checkup when the sun’s out! Even if you like the rain, staying in for a nap or to cozy up with a good book can be a tempting idea. By the time you remember to reschedule your dental appointment, whole months could’ve flown by – giving bacteria ample time to accumulate to concerning levels.
This is also why it’s actually a great idea to schedule one of your biannual checkups during the summer. You might be more inclined to keep your calendar free for spontaneous adventures, but with some help from the sun, you’ll feel more driven to follow-through on appointments now than next season! After a quick, refreshing cleaning, you’ll be able to continue enjoying the beautiful weather.
About the Practice
Each one of our team members at San Marcos Gentle Dental prioritizes patient comfort. From the moment you step into our office, you’ll be greeted with compassionate, friendly care. Drs. Robert Donnelly, Andrew Gentile, and John Schneider will carefully listen to your treatment goals and concerns so they can provide personalized plans and advice that will work for you. If you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer, contact us at 512-396-5225 for more information about how the sun could affect your smile.