The summer of 2020 is considerably different from the summers of years past. Instead of hanging out poolside, most of us are staying at home to decrease the spread of COVID-19. As long as you keep your distance from others, though, you can still take walks around the neighborhood. In addition to the numerous benefits that getting regular exercise offers, spending time in the summer sun every day is also good for your smile. According to a dentist in West Brookfield, it can help you avoid gum disease. Keep reading below to learn how.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that forms when plaque accumulates on your teeth and along your gumline and hardens into a substance called tartar. While you can disrupt plaque at home by brushing and flossing, only a dental professional can remove it one it has become tartar. Bacteria in tartar irritate your gums, causing symptoms like bleeding, tenderness, swelling, and redness. If gum disease isn’t treated soon enough, the bacteria could even attack the structures keeping your teeth firmly placed in your gums, resulting in teeth that shift, come loose, or even fall out entirely. In fact, gum disease is the most common reason for adult tooth loss in the United States. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid getting gum disease if you can.
How the Summer Sun Helps You Prevent Gum Disease
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, which means we need it for proper health even though our bodies don’t produce it. Fortunately, you can receive the proper dose of vitamin D by just soaking up sunlight for a few minutes a day. It absorbs into your skin, where it begins strengthening your teeth and bones, as well as your immune system so you can better combat infections like gum disease.
An estimated one billion people worldwide aren’t getting enough vitamin D. All you need to do to get your daily dose is spend some time outside. Walk around the block while maintaining six feet of distance from other walkers. Even just sitting in the front yard for a few minutes can keep your smile healthy and help you avoid the need for gum disease therapy in West Brookfield.
The majority of us might be under quarantine this summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy the summer sun. As long as you stay socially distanced from other people outside, you can spend some quality time soaking up vitamin D. It could even save your smile!
About the Practice
At West Brookfield Dental, Drs. Alkhoury strive to give their patients healthy and beautiful smiles. One way they do that is by evaluating their patients for gum disease at every checkup. If any signs are detected, they’ll immediately get to work creating a personalized treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track. To learn more, visit their website.
