4 Vitamins And Minerals Vital For Your Oral Health

When you think about the health of your mouth and teeth, the image of floss, total care toothpaste, and twice-yearly dental cleanings may pop into your head. But providing your body with the necessary resources to keep your gums and teeth healthy naturally is just as important as how you clean it. Integrating essential vitamins into your daily diet is simple and can often be as easy as taking a supplement or adding new/more foods to your diet. Here are 4 vital vitamins and minerals for your oral health.

Calcium

It's no surprise to hear that calcium is incredibly important for your teeth - after all, consuming calcium-rich dairy products to build strong teeth and bones has been a grain of common wisdom for many years. But did you know that many people don't get the calcium that they need? By introducing more calcium-dense foods into your diet (like dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and some types of fish) or taking a daily calcium supplement, you can provide your body with the teeth strengthening mineral it needs.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium more efficiently and helps create more bone mineral density. Vitamin D is produced naturally in your body when you are exposed to sunlight, but certain foods contain enough vitamin D to help ensure that you're getting enough to stay healthy. Be sure to include foods like fatty fish and mushrooms or foods that have been fortified with vitamin D, like milk or orange juice.

Vitamin A

Saliva is an important function for a healthy mouth - it cleans away bacteria from your teeth and gums and prevents plaque from forming. Vitamin A is a crucial vitamin needed to keep your mouth's mucous membranes is good working order and helps to stimulate the flow of saliva. Carrots are a well-known source of this vitamin, but dark leafy greens and orange-colored produce (think sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, or pumpkin) are great sources as well.

Vitamin C

Not just useful for boosting your immune system during the cold season, vitamin C is invaluable in making sure that your connective tissue stays strong and healthy. Keeping your gum tissue healthy is especially important to avoid tooth loss and gum disease. Most people don't have an issue with getting enough vitamin C, but if you'd like to ensure that you're receiving enough, take a daily supplement or include more citrus fruit, broccoli, or sweet potatoes into your diet!

These are just a few of the vitamins and minerals necessary for good oral health. Activities like brushing and flossing are also great for keeping your teeth healthy. If you’re ever in doubt of what is good for your mouth, contact a dentist like those at Beck Pearce Dental to get more information.