What Effects Do Vitamins and Minerals Have on Our Teeth?

Brushing and flossing our teeth on a regular basis is an important part of our oral hygiene regimens, as we all know. There are, however, additional elements that influence our oral health, as well as our overall health. We know, for example, that sugary and starchy meals like a soda can boost acid production in our mouths, which can harm our teeth; but, we also know that there are foods that protect our tooth enamel and enhance our overall dental health.

Advising about how to better take care of our teeth is one of the primary roles of a dentist in Rockhill, SC. Let's take a closer look at how key vitamins and minerals that we ingest affect our dental health in order to ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums:

 

Calcium

Calcium is on your side. It aids in the development and strengthening of our bones, as well as giving structural support and dental enamel protection. There are several foods that contain calcium, ranging from calcium-fortified drinks and milk to other dairy products, that you can consume to promote strong teeth and bones. Cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and salmon come to mind.

 

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is found in protein-rich meals such as meat, chicken, fish, and eggs, and it helps to maintain and regenerate tooth enamel. To put it another way, meals high in phosphorus are good for your oral health, especially because they help calcium develop strong bones and teeth.

Potassium

Potassium (and magnesium) aid in the body's acid-base regulation. Acids can actually steal calcium from our teeth and jawbone when our blood becomes excessively acidic, weakening them. If we eat a potassium-rich diet, we can help our teeth and bones utilize calcium more effectively. Bananas, lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, and prunes are all high in potassium.

 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A aids in the absorption and utilization of calcium and protein in our bodies, as well as the health of our mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are thin sheets of tissue that line cavities in the mouth, protecting your teeth and gums. Vitamin A also helps your mouth heal faster by preventing dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. Vitamin A-rich foods include fish, egg yolks, and liver. It's also in orange-colored fruits like oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes, as well as leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into Vitamin A, is abundant in this list of fruits and vegetables.

 

Vitamin C 

Our gums and soft tissue in our mouths are both strengthened by vitamin C. It can protect us from gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease, as well as the loosening of our teeth. One thing to keep in mind is that too much Vitamin C can harm our teeth' enamel, so be careful how much you consume. Citrus fruits, potatoes, and leafy greens are all high in Vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and increases bone mineral density. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to oral health difficulties including gingival inflammation, cavities, and gum disease, thus it's critical for our dental health. Vitamin D is produced naturally in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight; it can also be found in fatty fish, canned tuna, and portobello mushrooms, as well as in fortified foods and beverages such as milk, and orange juice, and cereal.

 

Vitamin K2 

Vitamin K2 is necessary because it aids in the prevention of bone deterioration. It's a sort of protein that works with Vitamin D to transport calcium from soft tissue and the bloodstream to your teeth and bones. It promotes the formation of new dentin (calcified tissue beneath the enamel covering of teeth), which reduces the likelihood of cavities forming. If you don't get enough Vitamin K2, your body's mending process will be hindered, which will make you bleed more easily. Leafy greens, kale, collards, spinach, parsley, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all high in Vitamin K2.

 

Do you have any questions about the meals you eat on a regular basis? What about the rest of the vitamins and minerals? Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns; our objective at River District Smiles Dentistry is to ensure that you are well-informed about oral health so that you can make informed decisions.

 

Resources:

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