When people think of the importance of nutrition they typically associate the effects it has on things like body fat not their teeth and gums. Few are aware that by ingesting the right vitamins through certain food types or supplements, a person can effectively help to protect their oral health. To increase your awareness on what you can do to reap the rewards, we’ve put together the 5 most essential vitamins for healthy teeth and gums.
Calcium
Calcium is known to be beneficial for your bones but it’s also great for your teeth as well. The National Institutes of Health have backed its positive effects, highlighting how it helps form and maintain healthy teeth. There are many ways you can get calcium into your body whether it’s through easily absorbed dairy products such as milk or canned salmon or sardines with bones are also good sources. There are many vegan options available too but most of this can be picked up in your local supermarket.
Phosphorus
A highly regard vitamin for improved teeth is phosphorus. Scientific reports show that other than calcium, you have more of phosphorous than any other mineral in the body, and most of it is in your teeth. It helps with the maintenance and repair of all the body’s tissues including your teeth so working with calcium at its side, it helps keep your teeth strong. To get the phosphorous you need, seek protein-rich foods, like meats, eggs and nuts. Whole grains, dried fruit and even carbonated beverages are also great sources that you can introduce more of into your diet. Most people get enough of this vitamin in their regular diet without the need for supplementation, however, but you need to make sure you’re eating the right things in the first place.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a vital vitamin when it comes to maintaining healthful teeth. As a micronutrient, it instructs your intestines to absorb the calcium you’ve digested and moves it into your bloodstream and without enough vitamin D, calcium will be lost out of your bones. There are many nutritional supplements you can take to support the right levels but simple things like cereal and milk are great sources of this.
Vitamin C
The above-mentioned vitamins are all great for your teeth but vitamin C is great for your gums. Vitamin C is needed for the formation of blood vessels and other key tissues that support your teeth and it also helps with healing. If you commonly experience bleeding gums, this can be down to a deficiency in vitamin C so it’s vital you’re getting enough to address this. Again, simply by reading the labels on your upcoming food shop, you’ll be able find the foods you’ll need to get the vitamin C you need.
A healthy diet can get you on the right path when it comes to getting enough vitamins into your body, however, sometimes it’s necessary to take additional supplements to reach the recommended daily intake. Before you begin to take different types of health supplements, make sure you consult your dentist or doctor. While vitamins may seem harmless, dietary supplements may interact or interfere with some prescription medications so it’s better to be safe before you alter your diet. In some cases, it’s not worthwhile or beneficial to take too many vitamins as your body can only absorb so much so make sure your stick to the recommended amount. Again, your doctor or dentist can provide the advice you’ll need to help correctly take the vitamins you need to maintain good oral health.