The Most Important Vitamins and Minerals for Your Oral Health

Your oral health and overall health are closely linked. Good oral care is important for your general health, as it helps prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Good nutrition is important for your oral health, as it can help your body repair damage caused by tooth decay and gum disease.

Calcium 

Calcium strengthens bones and teeth, making them more resistant to breaks, fractures, and decay. It can also help reverse and prevent periodontal disease. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium; if you’re suffering from low levels of vitamin D, you may suffer from tooth decay or need a tooth extraction. You may also be at a greater risk for gum disease because vitamin D helps reduce inflammation.

You can get your daily recommended dose of both calcium and vitamin D with fortified foods or supplements. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt that are fortified with added vitamins are a good source of both nutrients. You can also find these nutrients in dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, spinach, and turnip greens. Fortified orange juice is also an excellent source of vitamin D.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body produces after exposure to sunlight. It can also be consumed through certain foods, such as milk, yogurt, fish, and cereal grains. However, 90% of adults in the US are deficient in vitamin D. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to periodontal disease. Increasing your intake of vitamins can play an important role in protecting your smile and oral health.

Vitamins C and E

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights against free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can cause certain types of cancer. It also repairs tissue and promotes healthy gums. Vitamin C can be found in fruits like oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, and tomatoes. It can also be taken as a supplement in pill form. Since it can weaken the immune system, you shouldn’t take it concurrently while undergoing chemotherapy. Along with vitamin C, vitamin E is another antioxidant that helps fight inflammation to prevent periodontal disease. Vitamin E can be taken through food or supplements.

While vitamins C and E help promote oral health, there are vitamins and minerals that are harmful to your oral health. Calcium can make plaque buildup worse since it promotes the production of calcium-containing compounds in your saliva. You should be careful about eating too much cheese, milk, ice cream, and other dairy products that contain large amounts of calcium. Phosphorus is also bad for your teeth since it can cause tooth decay. It can be found in all dairy foods and grains.

Vitamin K

The most important vitamin for your oral health is vitamin K. This vitamin is best known for helping blood clot when you bleed, but it also helps to promote healthy tooth enamel. It can be found in dark leafy greens like kale or spinach, in broccoli, and even in some types of cheese. A diet full of dark leafy green vegetables and some dairy products should keep your vitamin K intake at a healthy level. If you are unable to get naturally enough through your diet, ask your doctor about a supplement.

Without enough vitamin K in your diet, your teeth are at an increased risk of decay. When your body doesn’t have enough of this vitamin, it causes the calcium in your saliva to be more difficult to absorb into your bloodstream — meaning less of it is available to strengthen your bones and teeth. Without a strong supply of vitamin D, your tooth enamel becomes thinner and less resistant to tooth decay. 

To find out more about the dental services offered by our dentist in Albuquerque, NM, call (505)-293-7611 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 4830 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. K, Albuquerque, NM, 87111.