The only vitamin that your body produce when exposed to sunlight is vitamin D. It is an essential vitamin with extra resources that plays various roles on different parts of the body and oral health.

Most people don’t realize this but your dental health is closely linked to vitamin D. People who suffer from vitamin D deficiency are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease than those who have enough levels in the body. The importance of vitamin D in calcium absorption also makes this vitamin vital in replenishing lost minerals on worn out enamel due to day to day erosion. The benefits of vitamin D go beyond the dental aspect of health which makes it important and should not be disregarded.

Listed below are foods that are good sources of vitamin D for stronger and healthier teeth.

Salmon. This fish is a popular fatty fish which is a great source of vitamin D. The difference of farmed and wild salmon also affects the amount of vitamin D it contains. The amount of vitamin D found in farmed salmon is only 25% of the wild salmon. There is a big difference in the vitamin D content depending on where salmon is caught. It is best to eat the wild salmon for higher vitamin D content per serving but farmed salmon is also great if you can’t get a hold of wild ones.

Herring. Herring is a fish served in many ways. It can be eaten raw, canned, or pickled. Just like the salmon, it is one of the greatest food sources of vitamin D all over the world. The only catch for the pickled type is that it contains high amount of sodium that can be bad for your health if eaten in large quantities. 

Cod Liver Oil. You can find cod liver oil on many supplements. People who don’t really like eating fish can get their dose of certain nutrients that are not available on other food sources. Cod liver oil has been used for many years to treat vitamin D deficiency in children. It is also high in omega-3 fatty acids that protect the heart.

Canned Tuna. People who enjoy the taste of canned tuna are also going to enjoy the high vitamin D content. It is very popular because it’s easy storage methods, cheaper than buying fresh fish, and diverse use. It also offers other nutrients like vitamin K and niacin.

Oysters. This low calorie type of clam found in saltwater are delicious and good source of vitamin D. It also has copper and zinc, vitamin B12 and other micronutrients that will surely boost your immune system and good health.

Shrimp. Shrimps are very low in fat compared to other shellfish and fishes rich in vitamin D. They are good source of omega-3 fatty acids and are still healthy even if they also have cholesterol.

Foods fortified with vitamin D are also available on markets that help people who stay a lot of their time indoors. This helps a lot especially kids who previously exercise poor oral care and dental hygiene.