Essential Vitamins You Should Have to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums

Excellent oral health is only achieved by continuously practicing many oral habits. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily are crucial oral hygiene measures that contribute to good oral health. However, eating healthily, or lack thereof, significantly impacts your oral health.

Why Is Food Important for Good Oral Health?

Your mouth is the first contact point for all foods and drinks that enter your body. Further, teeth kick-start the digestion process by breaking food into small particles. Therefore, any contents of your foods and beverages directly affect your teeth.

Besides, you should not just be keen to protect your teeth. Gum health is equally important for excellent dental health. One of the ways to maintain good gum health is to eat healthy meals that supply your body with crucial nutrients.

The Role of Nutrients in Dental Health

Any Hackensack dentist will tell you that nutrients are crucial for sustaining a healthy mouth. Your teeth and gums rely on nutrient supply to fight diseases and function optimally. For instance, as nutrients strengthen your bones, they improve jaw health and strengthen teeth. Some factors that should prompt you to prioritize nutrient intakes for your gum and teeth health are:

1. Lower the risk of oral bacteria that causes gum disease and tooth decay. With a high nutrient intake, you may avoid periodontal treatments, regardless of the prevalence of gum disease.
2. Preventive care – eating healthily is a big area of advocacy for dentists. It adds to the other dental care measures in preventive dentistry that help maintain good oral health.

Five Essential Vitamins for Teeth and Gum Health

Choosing healthy meals every day will ensure you are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals to benefit your oral and body health. However, there are specific vitamins that cater to your dental health more than others. They include the following:

1. Calcium – is the most crucial mineral for building strong bones and teeth. Calcium will benefit your jawbone as it does your teeth. Since you know about the benefits of calcium for your bones and teeth, perhaps you need a list of the rich calcium sources you can include in your daily meals. They include:

• a) Green leafy vegetables like broccoli, collards, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens
• b) Dairy products like milk and yogurt
• c) Nuts like almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and tahini

2. Phosphorous – without phosphorus in your body, the calcium you consume will not benefit your teeth and bones. Phosphorous helps your body to absorb and use calcium well. Besides, it is an essential mineral for rebuilding tooth enamel. Some incredible sources of phosphorous are:

• a) Protein-rich foods like fish, meat, and eggs
• b) Whole grains
• c) Milk

3. Vitamin C – is a nutrient that benefits both your gums and teeth. It maintains the health of the connective tissues in your mouth. Therefore, bleeding gums can be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. High consumption of fruits and vegetables are incredible sources of vitamin C. Examples include:

• a) Citrus fruits – like oranges
• b) Sweet potatoes
• c) Green vegetables – like kale and broccoli

4. Vitamin D – some of the oral issues you have can be linked to a vitamin D deficiency. You can prevent oral infections like gingival inflammation, cavities, and gum disease by getting enough vitamin D. The vitamin is crucial for bone and tooth mineralization. The most known source of vitamin D is sunlight. However, you can get it by taking supplements or eating the following foods:

• a) Fortified milk and breakfast cereals
• b) Oily fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel

5. Vitamin A – your saliva production is crucial for good oral health. It keeps the mouth moist, neutralizing acidity to avoid oral problems like enamel thinning and dental cavities. Vitamin A is mostly present in orange-colored fruits and vegetables, including the following:

• a) Carrots
• b) Sweet potatoes
• c) Egg yolks
• d) Bell peppers

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Nutrients and Minerals

1. Eat a balanced diet – do not have too much of one mineral at the expense of the others.
2. Take supplements – especially for minerals like calcium that you may have a deficiency for, similar to many other patients.
3. Keep your mouth clean – it won’t be beneficial to your teeth if you eat healthy meals, yet have plaque buildup. Instead, keep your mouth clean so the nutrients can work as they should.