Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Oral Health

Vitamins and minerals are essential for overall health. Their importance is especially seen when it comes to oral health. Listed below are a few vitamins and minerals that are essential for oral health.

Vitamin D

Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, but foods also naturally contain it. In the body, vitamin D helps regulate the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet. Both of these minerals are essential for good oral health. In fact, a lack of vitamin D can lead to problems with tooth enamel, such as soft spots or even cavities. Getting enough of this important vitamin may even help lower your risk of gum disease.

You can get some vitamin D from fortified foods like milk and cereals, fatty fish like salmon or tuna, and egg yolks. But your best source is sunshine! Be sure to spend some time outside every day – at least 15 minutes is the recommended amount – to get all the benefits that this essential nutrient has to offer.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for cell growth, development, and differentiation. It’s also responsible for maintaining healthy vision, bone growth, reproduction, and skin health. It also helps promote your immune system function by protecting your body from infection. Your body is only able to absorb vitamin A as retinol or beta-carotene. Therefore, it’s found in animal sources such as egg yolks, liver, cream, cheese, and butter. Plants contain another type of vitamin A called provitamin A carotenoid that is converted into retinal when consumed. Plant sources include dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, melons, and red bell peppers.

There are several types of vitamin A that may interact with your medications. It’s important to ask your doctor before taking any supplements. It’s also important not to get too much vitamin A because it can weaken your bones and cause liver damage depending on the form you consume. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, more commonly known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the health of our teeth and gums. The nutrient promotes healthy gum tissue by supporting the production of collagen, which is a key component of the connective tissues that keep the gums in place. Vitamin C also strengthens the teeth by protecting against the development of oral disease. For example, vitamin C has been shown to reduce the occurrence of gingivitis and periodontitis. Plus, this essential nutrient has also been shown to help minimize bad breath! Vitamin C is often found in citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Other excellent sources include berries, pineapples, and watermelon. In fact, one glass of orange juice has more vitamin C than one orange! While supplementation is an option, it’s a better idea to get your daily dose of vitamin C from food. Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep your gums healthy and your teeth bright for years to come.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that can help protect the bones around your teeth from breaking down due to plaque buildup, gum disease, or other teeth-harming conditions. If your gums bleed easily or you feel pain when you brush your teeth, you may be lacking vitamin K. A vitamin K deficiency may also be associated with osteoporosis. You can take a daily multivitamin to meet your daily requirement for this vitamin, but it’s also found in a variety of foods, including leafy green vegetables, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, okra, soybeans, and dark, leafy fruits like kiwis and grapes. Low-fat dairy, eggs, and meat are also great sources of vitamin K.

Calcium

Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth. In fact, it’s the first mineral that’s developed in the fetus’s bones. In addition to building strong bones, it also helps in muscle contractions and nerve signal transmissions. But unlike other essential nutrients, your body can’t produce it on its own, so you must get your daily supply through food and/or supplements. You can find it in milk and dairy products, broccoli, kale and other leafy greens, tofu, nuts, legumes, sardines, blackstrap molasses, fortified cereals, and so on.

Phosphorous

One of the most important minerals for strong bones and teeth is phosphorus. This mineral supports healthy gum health, as well as prevents tooth decay. It also helps to neutralize acids in your mouth and aids in tooth remineralization. It can even help to reduce sensitivity.

Phosphorus helps your teeth to remineralize after cavities or trauma. It can also help to prevent future decay. Additionally, it helps keep the teeth strong by maintaining the integrity of enamel. An adequate amount of phosphate in the diet can assist with the prevention of periodontal disease and gingivitis. It can also reduce the risk of plaque buildup. The condition could be worsened by the lack of this crucial nutrient in your diet.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact Korte Family Dentistry at (402) 489-3115 or visit us at 3901 Normal Blvd STE 202, Lincoln, NE 68506. Our friendly team of dental professionals looks forward to seeing you in our office soon!