Vitamin D and Gum Disease

Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin D And Gum Disease

Gum disease simply put, occurs when the gums around the teeth become infected and begin to swell. Although there are a few factors that can result in this disease like age, obesity and stress, Vitamin D is proven to be the largest cause.

Vitamin D is referred to as the “Sunshine Vitamin” and it is produced primarily from your body having direct contact with sunlight. According to the Journal of Periodontology, vitamin D is as important as calcium for your teeth. Bone loss as well as an increase in inflammation can occur if your body has vitamin D or calcium deficiency.

What Exactly is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacterial infections that if you ignore and do not treat can cause damage to the bone and result in tooth loss. Speaking technically, the molecules that have a destructive effect on your body are from Proinflammatory Cytokines. Vitamin D has protects your body against the Cytokins that lead to gum disease.

How Does Vitamin D Work?

Your body goes through a very long process utilizing vitamin D. The vitamin acts like a hormone, even though it is considered what is called a fat-soluble vitamin. It works with a parathyroid hormone (PTH) in your body to maintain healthy levels of calcium in your blood.

If you have low levels of calcium in your blood then PTH is secreted from your parathyroid gland and the some of the vitamin D that is in your body is transformed into Calcitriol. This actually causes your intestines to absorb calcium so then your kidneys eventually increase calcium levels in your blood. Once the calcium level becomes high in your blood, the Calcitiol decreases, causing your intestines to absorb calcium, resulting in your bones fighting over the calcium that is left.

When the vitamin D levels remain low in your body, the parathyroid gland becomes overactive so the PTH levels rise and the phosphorus in blood drops. Without enough phosphorus, the new bone cells absorb more water and swell. This is where the inflammation comes from.

How Do You Obtain Vitamin D?

According to the National Institute of Health, 10 to 15 minutes of outdoor activity a couple of times a week is all you really need. If you live somewhere that is always cloudy or full of smog, then vitamin D can be received by consuming milk, eggs and fish, primarily salmon, shrimp and sardines.

Who's at Risk for Gum Disease?

Primarily, gum disease attacks people over 50 years old. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, men with lower levels of vitamin D have a 61% higher risk of obtaining gum disease while women of the same age were at a 74% higher risk.

Also, if you are African American, you need even more sunlight to produce enough vitamin D because darker skin has more melanin which makes it harder it is for your body to absorb vitamin D.

If you are over the age of 50, have darker skin, stress in your life or obesity then you need to start making positive changes now to ensure the health of your teeth and gums later.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF BODY JET LIPOSUCTION

Potential Side Effects of Body Jet Liposuction

Body Jet Liposuction is a procedure that reduces fluid providing less bruising, swelling and decreased overall trauma. This technique flushes fat cells from the body instead of destroying them and can be performed on the stomach, thighs, and arms and under the chin. It is not a major fat removal system but it is ideal for people that need to lose less than 25 pounds.

The procedure of Body Jet Liposuction is water-assisted so it uses a spray of water to loosen the fat cells to be removed. The solution pushes sheets of fat apart instead of destroying them which causes less trauma. It leaves the connective tissues and blood vessels intact which provides contouring results with less discomfort. Body Jet Liposuction removes fat cells so the treated areas won't be affected by fat after however, non-treated areas can still be affected by future weight gain. There is only need for local anesthesia at most and there is a decreased chance for dimpling skin or leaving irregular skin texture. The swelling is minimal and post-procedure discomfort lasts only a couple of days. You are able to walk out of your appointment with minimal discomfort and most people go back to work and resume full activity within 4 days. Because it is such a quick procedure it is safe to do multiple areas at one time or you can choose to spread them out over different appointments. Like all procedures, there is potential side effect of Body Jet Liposuction.

Body Jet Liposuction can Cause Tissue Damage

Due to a small pulsating spray being used, it doesn't require strong force allowing the surgeon more control. There is however still a risk damaging blood vessels and the surrounding tissues. This gentle procedure allows for detailed contouring and minimal bruising.

Increased Cellulite with Body Jet Liposuction

Body Jet Liposuction can be used in some cases for cellulite removal. Although in most situations decreased cellulite is visible however there is a small percentage that has increased visual cellulite after the fat is removed.

Body Jet Liposuction Causes Irregularities

Although the Body Jet Liposuction procedure is designed to leave you with smoother skin, there is a risk of rippling. This can be caused by poor supervision and the suction being made too close to the skin. It is designed to use less force and flush fluid out of the body as fast as it enters. Because less fluid is in the patient, it allows the procedure to be more accurate thus giving a smooth contoured result.

Body Jet Liposuction leaves you with a leaner body that essentially builds your self-confidence. This procedure leaves you with immediate results and the results will continue to improve over the next few weeks. It has less bleeding, and minimal bruising and swelling. For the week prior to the procedure you should not smoke or take any aspirin. Birth control pills should not be taken 2 weeks prior because they can increase the chance for blood clot. Expressing any concerns and asking your surgeon questions can assure you a rewarding Body Jet Liposuction experience.